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BOOKS BY JAMES OTIS 


THE WIRELESS STATION AT SILVER 
FOX FARM 

THE AEROPLANE AT SILVER FOX 
FARM 

i2mo, cloth, illustrated. $1.50 

BOY SCOUTS IN THE MAINE WOODS 
i2mo, cloth, illustrated. $1.25 

FOUND BY THE CIRCUS 

i2mo, cloth, illustrated. $1.00 

DOROTHY’S SPY 
JOEL HARFORD 
JOEY AT THE FAIR 
TWO STOWAWAYS 

i2mo, cloth, illustrated. Each, 75 cents 

AUNT HANNAH AND SETH 
CHRISTMAS AT DEACON HACKETT’S 
DICK IN THE DESERT 
HOW THE TWINS CAPTURED A HES- 
SIAN 

HOW TOMMY SAVED THE BARN 
OUR UNCLE THE MAJOR 
SHORT CRUISE 
WRECK OF THE CIRCUS 

8vo, illustrated. Each, 50 cents 


THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY 

NEW YORK 


4 




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"DON'T CROW TOO SOON 


1 1 








The Aeroplane at Silver 

Fox Farm 


BY 


JAMES OTIS KoW 

AUTHOR OF ''THE WIRELESS STATION AT SILVER FOX 
FARM,’^ "TWO STOWAWAYS,’’ ETC. 


I 


ILLUSTRATIONS BY COPELAND 


« • 

f 

NEW YORK 

THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 



Copyright, 1911, 

By THOMAS Y. CROWELL COMPANY. 





CONTENTS 


CHAPTER page 

I. Unwelcome News . . . i 

II. Air-ship Plans 19 

III. The Night Alarm ...... 41 

IV. At Work . . .. . . . . . . 61 

V. Captain Tobi in Command . . . . 81 

VI. Captain Tobi’s Plight ..... loi 

VII. Malicious Mischief ..... 122 

VIII. A Forlorn Hope 142 

IX. The Glendower . . . . . .162 

X. Zenas Triumphs . ., . ... . . 181 

XI. Dastardly Work . . ... . 202 

XII. The Search . . . . . . . .221 

XIII. The Hiding-place . . ... . 240 

XIV. Zenas makes a Discovery . . . .259 

XV. Outwitted 279 

XVI. The ‘‘ Silver Fox ” . . . . ., . 300 

XVH. The Trial Voyage ...... 320 

XVIIL The Attack 338 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


“ ‘ Don’t crow too soon ! ’ ” . . . . Frontispiece y/ 


Opp. 

page 

He gazed in mingled anger and perplexity at 


Zenas ” • . . . 38 v- 

‘ These gentlemen have met with Bingham and 

his friends ’ ” 112 ' 

‘ Let go lively ! ’ came from the lifeboat ” . . 198 

A lad came into view carrying a basket on his 
arm ” 250 

A weather-beaten dory rowed by a single man ” 284 

The Trial Voyage '^22^ 

“ ‘ Keep your wits about you, lad ! ’ ” . . 342 v' 


THE AEROPLANE AT 
SILVER FOX FARM 


CHAPTER I 

UNWELCOME NEWS 

“PARDONED. Yesterday the Governor and Council granted 
an unconditional pardon to John Edward Bingham, who was 
convicted last October of a murderous assault upon Zenas Cush- 
ing at Barren Island, where is located a farm for the raising of 
silver foxes. Cushing is an employe of Sawtelle & Simpson’s, 
owners of the farm, and while engaged in his duties was, so it 
had been shown, set upon, without provocation, by Bingham, and 
beaten savagely. At the trial last October the jury, without leav- 
ing their seats, found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced 
to a two-years’ term of imprisonment. Bingham’s reputation is 
none of the best; he has been engaged in many disreputable, if 
not unlawful, ventures, and the fishermen along the coast claim 
to have suffered in the past through his disposition to take that 
which is not his own. It is now claimed that the man cannot live 
many months, he being a victim of tuberculosis, and the only 
reason for granting a pardon was that the old man might die 
at home.” 

The article as it appears here was read aloud from 
a newspaper by Paul Simpson, a lad of fifteen or six- 
teen years of age, to his particular friend and partner 
in a scheme of wireless telegraphy, Ned Bartlett, and 
Zenas Cushing, the victim of the assault referred to 
by the reporter. 

The two lads and the young man were on what is 
set down on the maps as Barren Island, better known 

I 


2 


THE AEROPLANE 


to-day as Silver Fox Farm, situated about twenty-two 
miles from the mainland. 

Ned Bartlett had just passed a successful examina- 
tion at the Seaview Academy, having failed dismally 
the year previous when Paul was graduated, and the 
boys had come over to the island to take up their 
duties for the season, which consisted in operating the 
wireless apparatus which connected Silver Fox Farm 
with the little port of Seaview, and acting as assistants 
to Mr. Sawtelle, one of the owners. 

Daniel Downs, the farmer on the island, had just 
brought to them the last issue of the Seaview Sentinel, 
and the article which appears above, being on the front 
page in a most conspicuous position, had at once at- 
tracted Paul’s attention. 

“Say, what’s tuber — ber — ber — What’s that thing 
the paper says is goin’ to kill John Ed Bingham 
off inside of a few months?” Zenas Cushing asked as 
Paul ceased reading and looked in amazement at his 
companions. 

“It means that he is afflicted with consumption,” 
Ned replied quickly, and Zenas suddenly lost all con- 
trol of his temper. 

“Consumption? John Ed with consumption? See- 
in’s how that’s somethin’ he couldn’t steal. I’m allowin’ 
the old villain has shut the eyes of the Governor an’ 
his Council, whatever that last may be, for I’ll go bail 
he never come by anythin’ honestly, not even the tooth- 
ache ! Let him out so’s he can die at home, eh ? 
Why, he never had a home of his own, ’cept it might 
be that old dory of his’n, an’ it was stole from the 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


3 


schooner Mary Jane. Die? Why, lads, John Ed 
will be dancin^ on our graves, an' figgerin’ if it would 
be worth his while to carry off the head-stones, before 
he dies a nat’ral death. What a thick-head that 'ere 
Ck)vernor must be !" 

*‘Do you suppose he’ll be bold enough to show his 
face on Barren Island?" Paul asked, as if simply 
giving words to his thoughts, and Zenas cried in a 
passion : 

^‘He'd show his face anywhere, now that he's got a 
pardon, an' it stands us in hand to watch out for the 
old scoundrel. I don’t reckon he could do very much 
harm to the foxes, 'cause they're feelin' at home, /s 
you might say, an' have got a lot of kittens; but what 
about Mr. Sawtelle’s crazy idee of buildin' a flyin' 
machine? John Ed would soon play hob with sich 
work, even if it is foolish, in case he got it inter his 
wicked head that it might go toward payin' off the 
score that he’s worked up against this 'ere farm." 

“And we must spend our time this summer as we 
did last, on guard against John Ed Bingham,” Paul 
said half to himself, and Zenas added: 

“I reckon that's the size of it, lad. You can set it 
down as a fact that John Ed is jest achin' to get even 
with your father an’ us, countin’ that we had no right 
to have him arrested, an' it's as plain as the nose on 
my face that he’ll be snoopin’ 'round here inside of a 
week. Now, as you know, I can't work up any faith 
in the idee that Mr. Sawtelle can build what he calls 
an aeroplane — that is, a machine that'll really fly, yet 
at the same time I’d hate mightily to see him stopped 


4 


THE AEROPLANE 


in his work by sich as John Ed, for the owner of the 
Neva comes precious near bein’ what you may call a 
white man.” 

And now for a few words in explanation, for the 
benefit of those who have not read an account of how 
a wireless station was built on Barren Island for the 
better protection of the six silver foxes which had been 
brought to that place from Russia : 

Paul’s father had come to believe that much money 
might be made by raising silver foxes for their fur, 
which is very valuable, and had, one year prior to the 
publication of the newspaper article concerning the 
pardon of John Edward Bingham, set free on Barren 
Island three couples of the rare animals. 

This same Bingham so lately given his liberty, had 
done his best to steal the foxes, and caused Mr. Simp- 
son and those in his employ no little trouble and anxi- 
ety, until he was arrested and sent to prison. It was 
during this season, when Ned Bartlett was working 
hard to pass the examination he had failed in at the 
academy the year previous, and at the same time try- 
ing to attend to the wireless station he and Paul had 
built at Seaview, that a message had come through 
the ether telling of a disabled yacht, the Nera, far out 
to sea. 

Paul Simpson and Zenas Cushing had carried to her 
crew the aid they needed for the saving of their lives, 
and the result was that the yacht’s owner, Chester 
Sawtelle, a wealthy gentleman, had purchased a half- 
interest in the odd farm established on Barren Island, 
for the double purpose of taking part in the experiment 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


5 

of raising silver foxes, and building one or more types 
of craft for the navigation of the air. 

Barren Island was an ideal place for this last propo- 
sition, being twenty-two miles from the mainland, and 
so small that a few men could successfully patrol the 
shore for the purpose of preventing a landing by the 
inquisitive or mischievous. For the better carrying 
out of both schemes, the wireless stations at Seaview 
and on the island had been increased in power until it 
was possible to receive messages from a distance of 
many hundred miles. A dwelling had been built on 
the northern end of the island, near what was known 
as Swallow-tailed Cove, for the accommodation of 
the partners in the enterprise and certain of their as- 
sistants. 

The farmer, who was living on the island when Mr. 
Simpson set the foxes free, still occupied the house 
on the west side, and in his family were his wife and 
two sons, Ernest and Sam Downs. The Nera, a 
schooner-rigged yacht of sixty feet in length, which 
had been saved from wreck through the exertions of 
Zenas and Paul, was anchored in the one harbor of 
the island, and near by were a Hampton dory with a 
6 -horse-power motor, and a smaller craft of less power, 
both owned by Paul Simpson. 

Barren Island rises out of the sea for a length of 
about three miles, having a width of a' mile and a half, 
and standing, save at the north and south ends, about 
thirty to forty feet above the ocean level. At the 
north end is a cove formed by two long reefs, which 
can be used a? 3 haven when the tid? is half-flood ; but. 


6 


THE AEROPLANE 


after the water falls lower than that the jagged rocks 
at the entrance form an impassable barrier. At the 
south end there is little or no possibility of landing 
even in a small craft, owing to the many reefs, there- 
fore in the small harbor on the west side the only safe 
anchorage can be found. 

All this description of Silver Fox Farm is but a 
repetition of what has already been told at consider- 
able length in the story of “The Wireless Station,’' 
but it is set down here for the benefit of those who 
may not have read that book. 

Ned Bartlett had been graduated from Seaview 
Academy, and at the beginning of this summer was 
enrolled as one of the assistants, together with Paul 
and Zenas, in Mr. Sawtelle’s scheme. The silver 
foxes needed but little care, now that they were do- 
mesticated and had begun to breed, and such work in 
their behalf as might be necessary was to be performed 
by Farmer Downs and his two sons. 

The information gained from the newspaper 
brought by Daniel Downs, had caused the boys no 
little anxiety, as has been seen; but they were not so 
greatly disturbed as was Mr. Downs himself, who had 
good cause to fear for the result when John Ed Bing- 
ham set about paying off old scores. 

“It ain’t for me to say, after all that’s happened, 
anythin’ ’bout the foolishness of a man’s tryin’ to fly,” 
Mr. Downs interrupted, the expression of fear on his 
face deepening as he spoke ; “ but whether I approve 
of what Mr. Sawtelle is tryin’ to do, or whether I 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


7 


don’t, it’ll be all the same now John Ed is at liberty] 
to cut up his old capers agin.” 

‘Then you believe he will be bold enough to come 
to Barren Island?” Paul said questioningly, half to 
himself ; and the old man replied emphatically : 

“I’m as certain of it, lad, as if I could see him 
cornin’ ashore this blessed minute. John Ed has al- 
lers claimed that he’d get square with anybody that 
crossed his path, an’ seein’s how Mr. Sawtelle had as 
much to do with his arrest as your father. I’m allowin’ 
that this ’ere island is the first place he’ll strike. I 
shan’t lay down in my bed at night without fearin’ the 
house will be burned over my head before mornin’, 
an’ as for claimin’ that we can prevent him from 
makin’ a landin’, it’s nothin’ more nor less than idle 
talk. He’ll go where he pleases.” 

“I’m not so certain about that, Mr. Downs,” Zenas 
Cushing said grimly. “We’ve got quite a crew here, 
countin’ in them as are hired to run the Nera^ an’ if 
we can’t stop one man from cornin’ ashore, it’s time 
we let ourselves out to some old woman’s sewin’ 
circle.” 

“But if the scheme of building a craft that can be 
sailed in the air is carried out, we shall have something 
more to do than stand guard against John Ed Bing- 
ham,” Paul interrupted, and Ned added : 

“ Mr. Sawtelle says that from the time we begin 
work on the craft which he is so certain can be made 
to fly, no person must be allowed to get a glimpse 
of what is being done, and unless men are hired from 


8 


THE AEROPLANE 


Seaview whenever the Neva is away, as she will be 
many times this season according to what has been 
said, we shall be short-handed, what with building 
aeroplanes by day and watching for John Ed at 
night” 

‘‘That’s where you’re right,” Mr. Downs cried as 
if the truth of his assertion had been proved by Ned’s 
remark. “You can’t keep that old villain from 
workin’ his will, no matter how hard you try.” 

“We contrived to do that same thing last summer,” 
Zenas said stoutly, “an’ I’m allowin’ it can be done 
agin.' Say, we’re actin’ as if we’d lost our senses. 
Jest think of what has been done. Your father, Paul, 
set out to raise silver foxes, beginnin’ last summer, 
an’ in spite of John Ed an’ all the gang he could 
bring with him, the thing has been done in mighty 
good shape, if six or eight young ones count for any- 
thin’, an’ I’ll go bail we’ve got as many as eight, 
every one in a healthy condition. Last summer all 
we had was the shanty for the wireless, an’ the farm- 
house, with one good power boat, an’ another that 
didn’t count for much. This year we’ve got as fine 
a place to live in as can be found around Seaview, 
with Mr. Downs’s shack to boot, sayin’ nothin’ ’bout 
the dandiest yacht that ever cruised on this ’ere coast, 
an’ with a full crew of what might be called able men 
on board ” 

“If it was any other than John Ed, I’d say we could 
obey orders by keepin’ strangers away,” Mr. Downs 
began in a mournful tone, and Zenas interrupted him 
sharply : 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


9 


‘‘He’s no different from an hundred others than 
can be found hereabout. The trouble is that he has 
scared you out’er your boots, an’ you’ve come to be- 
lieve that the old smuggler is the only thing on earth. 
To tell the truth, I’m hopin’ this will be the first place 
he’ll strike for, ’cause I don’t allow he has paid up 
for the clip I got over the head last summer. Let 
him show his red nose around here once more, an’ 
I’ll make him wish his cake was dough.” 

“Same as you did when he towed you off shore, 
an’ let you set yourself adrift without an oar in the 
dory,” Mr. Downs said in what he intended should 
be an ironical tone. 

“I’m willin’ to admit that he did play it on me 
that time; but I’ve cut one or two eye teeth since 
then, an’ matters won’t go so nearly to his likin’,” 
Zenas replied with a cheery laugh. “I’m hired to 
hang ’round Barren Island lookin’ after silver foxes, 
or helpin’ to build contraptions that may fly or may 
not, an’ in the meanwhile to keep outsiders from 
cornin’ ashore. That’s what I’m paid good money 
for, an’ you’ll see, Daniel Downs, that I’ll earn my 
wages.” 

“I reckon you will, all right, if you stop John Ed 
from cornin’ ashore when his mind is set on makin’ 
a landin’,” the old man replied as he wheeled about 
to show that, so far as he was concerned, the con- 
versation had come to an end. 

“Let’s get a move on, lads,” Zenas said after having 
watched the old farmer while he went slowly toward 
his home with bowed head as if fate had dealt him 


10 


THE AEROPLANE 


a heavy blow. we’re to hear ’bout this ’ere crow- 
chasin’ business, it’s time we toddled up to our 
quarters where, I’m free to say, we’re lodged in better 
shape than if we owned the best house in Sea view. 
Mr. Sawtelle don’t spare the dollars when he starts 
in to do anythin’; but only think of buildin’ such as 
that ’ere hotel on Barren Island !” and Zenas motioned 
toward the two-story building with broad verandas 
running entirely around it, which had been erected 
as a wireless station and a temporary home for the 
partners in the scheme of raising silver foxes. 

Zenas seldom spoke of the building other than as 
“the hotel,” and when he learned that he and the two 
boys were to live in it, with the owners of the farm, 
his happiness was complete. Instead of roaming 
around the island regardless of the weather or the 
time, as had been his wont during the first season 
when there was no work to be done except make cer- 
tain that strangers did not come ashore, he never 
seemed to be at ease save when admiring the interior 
of the house. 

Therefore it was that at this moment, when the 
discussion regarding what it might be possible for 
John Ed Bingham to accomplish in the way of mis- 
chief had come to an end, Zenas bent his steps toward 
the “hotel,” the two boys following close at his heels, 
and surely it seemed as if they could not have ar- 
rived at a more opportune moment had they obeyed 
the summons of a messenger sent especially to demand 
their presence. 

In that apartment, half library, half drafting-room. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


II 


the new-comers found the owners of the island bend- 
ing over a multiplicity of plans drawn on stout paper, 
which were spread on a long table used for such pur- 
poses, and Mr. Sawtelle said cheerily as they entered : 

‘‘You are come in the nick of time. I have pro- 
posed to Mr. Simpson that we go briefly into the his- 
tory of air craft before I explain in details these 
plans which will be used for our guidance during the 
summer’s work, and it is well that you should hear 
what I have to say. Don’t fear that I intend to read 
a long and musty lecture,” he added laughingly on 
seeing the look of dismay which overspread the face 
of Zenas. ^Tt seems necessary you should have a 
clear understanding of what we count on doing, to 
the end that you may proceed more intelligently, for 
the building of such a vessel as these plans represent 
means careful, painstaking labor, rather than down- 
right hard work.” 

'Tf you can’t drive this business of flying inter my 
head any better than Paul did his plan of telegraphin’ 
without wires, then your time will be thrown away, 
so far as I’m concerned, sir,” Zenas said as if apolo- 
gizing for not being able to comprehend that which 
has puzzled many another. 

'T shall at least be able to convince you that what 
we are about to do is no longer an untried experi- 
ment; for it is an established fact that men can 
navigate the air, and have done so even to the extent 
of carrying passengers from one city to another at 
specified times and without deviation from a regular 
course.” 


12 


THE AEROPLANE 


Zenas gave vent to a long-drawn sigh, as if about 
to submit to some disagreeable operation, and seated 
himself by the window where he could overlook the 
West cove; but the lecture on air-ships was not de- 
livered immediately, because Paul believed it neces- 
sary to inform his father of John Ed’s release from 
prison. 

‘The fellow will not attempt to make any more 
trouble on Barren Island,” Mr. Sawtelle said con- 
fidently; but Paul’s father appeared far from being 
as positive. “In case he should come here, we will 
proceed against him for trespass, if no more serious 
charge can be made, and it is safe to say he will not 
care to venture on a second visit.” 

“It will be necessary to keep a strict watch from 
now on,” Mr. Simpson added with a glance at Zenas, 
who nodded energetically as if to say he fully agreed 
with such a proposition, and the owner of the Nera 
proceeded without further delay to enlighten his small 
audience on what had already been done by way of 
navigating the air. 

“In the first place,” Mr. Sawtelle began as if to 
interrupt any further discussion regarding what John 
Ed Bingham might be able to do, “air craft may 
properly be divided into three divisions. The first 
is the aerostat, or in other words, that which we ordi- 
narily call the balloon, and which, as you well know, 
is not dirigible ” 

“That’s where you’ve got me the first pop!” Zenas 
exclaimed grimly. “I knew it wasn’t any use for 
me to get such things into my mind, ’cause you must 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


13 

understand that I’m only what you might call one of 
these ordinary, every-day fishermen.” 

‘‘What have I said that you fail to comprehend?” 
Mr. Sawtelle asked in surprise. 

“ That ’ere thing that you allowed balloons were 
not — whatever it may be.” 

“Dirigible,” Mr. Sawtelle replied with a smile, 
“which means, capable of being directed, as for in- 
stance, when you and Paul were adrift in the dory, 
she was not dirigible because you had nothing by which 
to steer or direct her course.” 

“If you had said that in the first place, I would have 
been able to follow the sermon, so to speak,” Zenas 
muttered half to himself, and Mr. Sawtelle continued: 

“The first division of air craft then, is the ordi- 
nary balloon. In the second class may be included air- 
ships such as have been built by Zeppelin, Santos Du- 
mont and those inventors who have been striving, and 
have succeeded, in constructing a vessel which can be 
handled in the ether equally as well as we manage a 
craft on the water. These aerostats follow more the 
model of a sailing ship, so far as length of hull is 
concerned, and are provided with small planes and 
rudders, having also power with which to work a 
propeller. Then comes the aeroplane of many types, 
which in the main are provided with a motor, and so 
designed as to rise or dive in the air at the will of the 
operator.” 

“Have we got to learn all this so as to be able 
to tell him about it afterwards?” Zenas whispered 
to Ned, and the latter shook his head laughingly with 


14 


THE AEROPLANE 


a gesture toward Mr. Sawtelle, as if to say that the 
speaker should not be interrupted. 

‘Tn order that you may the better understand this 
last style of air craft, I propose to read from that 
description which has attracted my attention to the 
simplicity of certain types of air-ships,” Mr. Sawtelle 
continued, and then, taking up a magazine, he read the 
following : 

"‘Broadly speaking, the lines on which experiments 
with aeroplanes have run seem to divide themselves 
into two. First, the aeroplane which primarily de- 
pends for its successful flight upon the adroitness in 
manipulation of the operator, who, by an intelligent 
anticipation of the direction of the diverse air cur- 
rents or winds encountered, or by a prompt con- 
formation thereto, balances his machine to suit the 
immediate necessity of the case. Second, the type 
which endeavors, by a scientific arrangement of 
planes, tails, etc., to adjust itself automatically to the 
diverse conditions which arise, thus sparing the manip- 
ulator as much as possible. 

“It is, of course, and always will be, impossible to 
make an aeroplane absolutely automatic so long as 
nature is what it is; and this being so, it will never 
be possible to travel through the air in any machine 
without long and careful training, which is a matter 
I shall refer to later. 

“The helicopter, or aeroplane, is at present very 
much in its infancy, owing to the low efficiency of its 
propellers; but if we recollect what motor-cars were. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


15 


even only ten years ago, the present difficulty as re- 
gards helicopters may, in ten years’ time, be looked 
upon with pity and surprise. Certainly of all the 
classes of flying machines, short of the actual bird, 
the helicopter offers the greatest potential advantages. 
It should be able to rise direct from an enclosed space, 
to hover over any desired spot, at any height desired, 
to advance, retire, or move to one side without a wide 
sweeping movement, and descend at any desired place, 
even if surrounded with high objects. 

“The Wright Brothers, I believe, worked for eight 
years on their machine, and now look at the result; 
every failure they recorded was an advance in ex- 
perience. 

“The Germans, all honor to them, stimulated by 
Count Zeppelin’s earlier failures and successes, con- 
tributed by public subscription in a few weeks nearly 
$300,000 to assist him to retrieve his former disasters 
and push forward with fresh experiments.” 

“Perhaps it may be as well,” Mr. Sawtelle said ab- 
ruptly as he ceased reading, “for me to tell you some- 
what of that which Count Zeppelin has done with his 
type of air-ship — a very large craft such as doesn’t 
really concern us in our work here on Barren Island, 
save that it may be interesting.” 

“If it don’t concern us, what’s the use of makin’ 
so much talk about it?” Zenas whispered to Paul. 
“He’s got me where I can’t understand head or tail of 
anythin’.” 

Paul made no reply, for the very good reason that 


i6 


THE AEROPLANE 


Mr. Sawtelle, ignorant of the fact that one of his 
hearers was growing restless, continued his story, or 
lecture, whichever it may be called. 

“It is already a fact that Count Zeppelin has made 
a successful voyage of nine hundred miles, carrying 
twenty-six passengers in a ship about four hundred 
fifty feet long, and fifty feet wide. 

“It had a strong aluminum frame of sixteen sides, 
and of a general cylindrical appearance, with bomb- 
shaped ends. The interior was divided into seven- 
teen compartments, each holding an ordinary balloon, 
the whole having a combined volume of three hundred 
ninety thousand cubic feet. The middle frame was 
covered with rubber cloth coated with pegamoid, which 
is a certain preparation of graphite, and this skin 
not only furnished a smooth surface and protected 
the gas-bags against damage and the influence of the 
weather, but the insulating air-space decreased the 
changes of temperature, which cause a rise and fall 
of the balloon accordingly as the gas is expanded or 
contracted. Thirty-three feet below the frame were 
hung two aluminum boats, each provided with a 
1 6-horse-power motor, harnessed to four-bladed air- 
propellers, with a diameter of only about four feet, 
and rotating one thousand times a minute. 

“All this, as I have said, has nothing to do with our 
intended experiment; but serves to show that we’re 
not searching for the pot of gold at the end of the 
rainbow, but working on something already proven 
practical.” 

“It’s no use, I can’t stand this,” Zenas whispered to 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


17 


Paul with a sigh as Mr. Sawtelle ceased speaking for an 
instant. ‘T did think I had some kind of an idee 
as to what he was drivin’ at when this thing was 
talked about last summer; but now I’m all mixed 
up, an’ the longer I stay here the worse I'll grow.” 

Then Zenas would have left the room, regardless 
of the seeming indignity to the speaker, had not Paul 
forcibly detained him. 

‘‘There are many rivals to Count Zeppelin’s type 
of air-ship, and these we will discuss at some later 
time,” Mr. Sawtelle said as, throwing off his air of 
lecturer, he seated himself at the table as if pre- 
pared to carry on a friendly conversation, whereupon 
Zenas whispered emphatically : 

“You can bet he won’t find me anywhere ’round 
when he makes more of sich talk, an’ I wouldn’t be 
here now if I’d had an idee of what he was goin’ to 
say.” 

“Our work here on the island will be what might 
be called ‘fussy’ rather than really laborious,” and Mr. 
Sawtelle arranged the plans on the table as if believ- 
ing the boys might want to study them. “We are 
counting on building an aeroplane somewhat smaller 
in general design than that used by the Wright 
Brothers, and unless the planes, which are really the 
wings, are set exactly correct, and adjusted to the 
fraction of an inch — unless every tiny wire takes its 
due proportion of the strain, our work will have been 
in vain. The adjustment of a bicycle or an automo- 
bile is rough work as compared with that of an aero- 
plane, and it must be our care to see that every part 


i8 


THE AEROPLANE 


of the task is done thoroughly well, with no attempt 
at haste, but a constant striving after perfection, 
else it were better we had never begun.” 

''An’ I’m thinkin that it’s best to stop before makin’ 
a beginnin’,” Zenas muttered so loudly that Mr. Saw- 
telle could not fail of hearing him, and, regardless 
alike of Ned’s gestures and Paul’s attempt at restraint. 
Master Cushing left the room. 


CHAPTER II 


AIR-SHIP PLANS 

Ned and Paul expected to hear a sharp comment 
from Mr. Sawtelle when Zenas so unceremoniously 
left the room before the owner of the Nera had come 
to an end of his remarks concerning air-ships; but 
much to their surprise he seemed amused, and said as 
if he had been expecting some such move on the part 
of the general assistant: 

‘'He remained even longer than I had anticipated. 
Zenas has no faith in our ability to build a craft in 
which one may navigate the. air, and, consequently, 
lacks the necessary patience to master the subject 
as it should be mastered" if we are to work intelli- 
gently. I am assuming that you lads, who are willing 
to admit it may be possible to succeed, even though 
you are far from being sanguine, would be willing to 
hear more regarding what has been done.” 

“Indeed we would, sir,” Paul made haste to reply, 
for, as a matter of fact, he had not given any par- 
ticular attention to the matter before, even though it 
had been agreed the season previous that an air-ship 
of some kind was to be built on Barren Island. 

The boys had discussed the matter in a perfunctory 
sort of way, as might have been expected; but not to 
such an extent as to understand very much regarding 
Mr. Sawtelle's plans, except that he hoped to build 
such a craft as could be sailed in the air, therefore both 
were deeply interested in his explanations. 

19 


20 


THE AEROPLANE 


Without apparently giving further heed to Zenas, 
Mr. Sawtelle read the following from a magazine in 
which the question of practical air-shipping was treated 
at considerable length: 

‘‘Each test of successive air-ships has marked a step 
nearer the goal. In the spring of 1909 the war air- 
ship Zeppelin I flew to its destination on a forty-mile 
wind, making seventy miles an hour. Since that 
time all air currents in Germany have been charted 
for navigation. From a system of wireless stations, 
hourly advices of the winds are available by all im- 
perial air-ships. This means that within the coming 
year, air-ships with passengers and mail may cross the 
ocean in one and a half to two days. 

“It is now known that aerial space will support great 
weights; clouds carry for long distances enormous 
loads of rain and snow, before depositing their cargoes. 
Germany has proved that the ship in air and the ship 
in water are in many respects identical; an increase 
in size and in power of the machinery has with each 
resulted in an increase of speed and endurance. 
Within two years, the air-ship^s speed has grown from 
thirty-two to thirty-eight miles an hour. 

“The largest German air-ships glide against the air 
from a quarter to a half-hour after their engines have 
been stopped, exactly as an ocean vessel moves for- 
ward after its speed has been checked. Stronger 
hulls have made air-ships more airworthy; with 
tougher gas-chambers, they leak only thirty to forty 
pounds of gas in twenty-four hours, instead of an 
hundred, as a year ago. As auxiliary power all air- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


21 


ships now carry four instead of two engines, with 
space for more passengers, now that the problem of 
controlling gas has been worked out. 

“Germany’s greatest achievement is not the tech- 
nical perfection of the air-going craft; she has learned 
how to use the air currents, as birds do in traveling. 
This is a science; the ship only its instrument. Air- 
ships will double and treble their speed by acting in 
harmony with the forces of Nature, the primal speed- 
maker.” 

Then Mr. Sawtelle stopped reading to say with a 
smile : 

“All this concerns a different type of craft from 
that which we propose to build. I have only referred 
to these matters that you may the better realize how 
well begun is the task of navigating the air. Here 
are the plans for our ship, varying slightly from the 
aeroplanes used by the Wright Brothers, and I hope 
you will study them until understanding every detail, 
to the end that you may be able to work with me in- 
telligently, for he who is ignorant of the end to be 
attained must of necessity be a bungler in the labor.” 

“Then we can set it down as a fact that Zenas will 
be of little assistance in the building of an aeroplane,” 
Ned said laughingly. “He not only fails to under- 
stand what you would do, but has little faith that it 
can be accomplished, and is not willing to spend 
overly much time in gaining the particular knowledge 
that you require of him.” 

“I am not at all surprised because Zenas is a 
skeptic, and, being so, is not inclined to master the 


22 


THE AEROPLANE 


theory of air navigation,” Mr. Sawtelle replied in 
a matter-of-fact tone. “We shall have the same 
difficulty, and probably in a greater degree, with 
Daniel Downs and his two sons, for they utterly scout 
the idea that anything heavier than air can be made to 
sail above the ground.” 

“They were positive it would be impossible to send 
a message through the air without the aid of wires,” 
Paul added. “After learning that that which they 
had counted as an impossibility could be accomplished, 
one would suppose they might be willing to admit 
that there was a chance of your succeeding in this 
work.” 

“It makes very little difference to us whether they 
have faith in the scheme or not,” Mr. Sawtelle re- 
plied gravely. “We shall only require of them what 
you might call the rough portion of the labor, and 
faith or incredulity will have little to do with their 
ability to lift and haul.” 

Then Mr. Sawtelle set about explaining in detail 
the drawings before him, showing how each wire 
or bolt should perform its particular duty, and giving 
illustrations of how an unskilled workman might 
readily destroy the harmony of the whole, until Paul 
and Ned had a fairly clear idea, much to their own 
surprise, of what ought to be done. 

And it was indeed astonishing that they finally 
came to understand so much of Mr. Sawtelle’s pur- 
pose, for until this day neither had succeeded in mas- 
tering the details of the principles involved, although 
both had striven long and earnestly to do so. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


23 


Now, however, it seemed to be what Zenas might 
have called ‘‘plain sailing,” and the boys were con- 
vinced that they could aid this man in his work fairly 
well, although it is probable they may have had some 
misgivings as to whether it would be possible for him 
to produce a craft, however carefully it might have 
been constructed, that could navigate the air even so 
short a distance as from Barren Island to Seaview. 

After understanding that he had thoroughly inter- 
ested the lads in the building of an aeroplane, Mr. 
Sawtelle left them alone, evidently believing they 
would work out for themselves such points as he had 
failed to make perfectly plain, and by so doing have 
a better mastery of the whole than if he remained to 
clear away every doubt or perplexity. 

And in this he was correct. The lads became as 
thoroughly engrossed with this study of air navigation 
as ever they had been in the construction of a wire- 
less telegraph, and two hours or more had passed 
without their having any definite knowledge of the 
flight of time, when the door of the room was opened 
suddenly, admitting a gust of wind which sent the 
penciled plans flying in every direction, as Zenas 
Cushing stood before them looking both excited and 
displeased. 

“What’s the matter?” Paul asked, noting the ex- 
pression on the young man’s face, and instead of 
making a reply Zenas asked a question in a tone of 
irritation : 

“What I want to know is whether we are out here 
to raise silver foxes, or spend our time bothering 


THE AEROPLANE 


24 

’bout sich fool nonsense as Mr. Sawtelle counts on 
givin’ us?” 

“Why, Zenas, there’s no need of such a question 
as that,” Paul said almost sharply, as he ran here and 
there to gather up the papers which had been displaced 
so suddenly. “Of course we are to look after the 
foxes, although they are not requiring much care just 
now, and at the same time we are to build an aero- 
plane, according to the agreement which was made 
last summer. You understood it then.” 

“I heard what was said then,” Master Cushing re- 
plied gruffly; “but didn’t take any great amount of 
stock in it, seein’s how I thought the owner of the 
Nera was making a lot of talk jest for the sake of 
bearin’ himself.” 

“Do you object to helping in the work of building 
an aeroplane?” Ned asked, and Zenas replied quickly: 

“I don’t object to doin’ any fool thing, seein’s how 
I’m gettin’ good money for wastin’ the time ; but what 
I’m drivin’ at is to find out which is which. If it’s 
silver fox farmin’, why then we can putter ’round 
with this ’ere crazy machine when there’s nothin’ else 
to do.” 

“We are to do both, I tell you,” Paul cried. 

“Yes ; but which is to be looked after first ? I mean, 
what do you count as bein’ the most important?” 

“I can’t say that there’s any reason to settle that 
question now, because the foxes are taking care of 
themselves, and if we hadn’t this work on hand, it 
would be a case of remaining idle.” 

“That’s where I ain’t agreein’ with you,” and Zenas 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


25 


brought his fist down upon the table with a resound- 
ing thump. 'Cordin’ to the way I look at it, an’ I 
reckon I’ve been knockin’ ’round on Barren Island 
long enough to know what’s what, it’s a case of our 
throwin’ up one job or the other mighty quick.” 

Now it was the boys began to understand that Zenas 
had something on his mind which he believed to be 
of considerable importance, and as the quickest way 
of learning what it might be, Paul asked : 

‘‘How do you think we should be spending our time 
to-day?” 

“In doin’ pretty nigh as we did last summer ; 
meanin’ that if we don’t get our eyes open mighty 
quick, there’s a chance the crop of silver foxes will 
be thinned out pretty considerable.” 

“What has happened?” and now it was evident that. 
Zenas had at least succeeded in alarming Paul, who, as 
was only natural, had more concern regarding the suc- 
cess of his. father’s venture in the business of raising 
fur, than in what appeared to him much like an untried 
experiment of navigating the air. 

“Well, first an’ foremost, there’s no need for me to 
tell you that John Ed Bingham is where he can begin 
to cut capers sich as he did last summer.” 

“Is that what has sent you here in such a stewj” 
Ned asked as if displeased because that which Zenas 
had to tell was not of a more alarming nature. “I 
thought it was understood that we needn’t worry our 
heads very much about that old smuggler, because of 
the dose we gave him last year.” 

“Yes, that’s about the way your father and Mr. 


26 


THE AEROPLANE 


Simpson figgered it; but I’ve got different idees on 
the subject.” 

‘‘This morning you said you hoped Barren Island 
might be the first place he would strike for after 
getting out of prison,” Ned cried with a laugh which 
had in it quite as much of irritation as of mirth. 
“You declared that if he did come you would make 
him wish his cake was dough, which was much the 
same as allowing that you’d tackle him single-handed.” 

“Have I taken back anythin’ I said then?” Zenas 
asked sharply. “Am I makin’ it appear as if I was 
hopin’ he wouldn’t come?” 

“I don’t know what you’re giving us to under- 
stand, if it isn’t that you’re afraid of him.” 

“Now look here, Ned Bartlett,” and Zenas spoke 
in what he intended should be an impressive tone. 
“Bein’ afraid of a man, an’ watchin’ out to see he 
don’t do any mischief, is two mighty different things, 
’cordin’ to my way of thinkin’. I allowed, as did 
Daniel Downs, that the first place John Ed was sure 
to strike for, after gettin’ out of prison, would be 
this same island, an’ while allowin’ that, I was hopin’ 
he’d come so’s I could square up with him for last 
year’s work. All that’s one thing, an’ now comes 
another, else I wouldn’t be here askin’ which is the 
first thing for us to attend to, the fox farm, or foolin’ 
’round with your make-believe air-ship, as if a man 
was goin’ to spread himself like a crow an’ fly from 
here to Seaview whenever he felt like it !” 

“Why do you persist in throwing cold water upon 
the possibility of navigating the air, when you know 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


27 


it has been done — that it is successfully accomplished 
all over this country, and in other parts of the world ?” 
Paul cried. “To my mind it is not as mysterious a 
thing as the wireless, for by those plans which Mr. 
Sawtelle has made we can see just how he proposes 
it shall be put together. But when Ned and I built 
the telegraph, there was not only considerable which 
we could not understand, but very much that no one 
was able to explain.'' 

“See here, lads, I didn’t come here to make any fool 
talk. If your father an’ Mr. Sawtelle were not on 
board the Neva, with their heads so close together that 
a feller like me don’t dare come between ’em. I’d have 
gone to them, instead of loafin’ ’round here.” 

“Will you tell us why you did come?” Paul asked 
impatiently. 

“It’s on account of John Ed Bingham, don’t I tell 
you ?” 

“Is the situation any different than it was when 
we read that article in the newspaper?” 

“Different? Well, I allow it is to a considerable 
extent. Then we knew that the old villain had been 
pardoned; now we’ve got what you might call de- 
cently good proof that he’s within three miles of this 
’ere island, countin’ to come ashore, as I make it 
out, when night shuts in. You believe Daniel Downs 
got so frightened last summer, on account of what 
your father said, that he wouldn’t have any dicker 
with John Ed, not if it was the day of judgment, 
an’ they had both of ’em got out of their graves at 
the same time, knowin’ there was nobody else around. 


28 


THE AEROPLANE 


Now I ain’t to be taken in so easy — meanin’ that I’m 
not soft enough to believe everythin’ I hear. You 
let John Ed come on to this ’ere island to-night, an’ 
sneak up to Daniel’s house without anybody else 
knowin’ he was ’round, an’ you’d find the whole 
Downs family so frightened that they’d fall on their 
knees an’ black his boots, if he’d give the word.” 

“What do you mean by saying that John Ed is 
within three or four miles of here?” Ned asked 
sharply. 

“Just what I say, lad. I was loafin’ ’round down 
at the cove, yarnin’ with the engineer of the Neva, 
neither of us havin’ anythin’ very weighty on our 
minds, when I looks up careless-like in the direction 
of Seaview, an’ there I makes out as plain as could 
be at sich a distance, that same old dory of John Ed’s, 
with one man in her layin’ on his oars as if he was 
kind ’er idlin’ out at sea waitin’ for the time to pass.” 

“How far away was he?” Paul demanded. 

“Well, a matter of, say three miles.” 

“And you claim to be able to tell whether' he was 
rowing or sitting still?” 

“I claim that I ain’t quite an idjut. If he’d been 
rowin’ I’d have seen the glint of sunlight on his 
oars. I may not know so very much ’bout these 
’ere flyin’ machines, an’ thankful am I that I don’t; 
but you can’t fool me when it comes to seein’ a man 
in a boat, for my eye-sight is pretty tolerably clear 
yet a while. But there’s no need to take my word 
for -anythin’. Get them ’ere marine glasses which 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


29 


Mr. Sawtelle keeps in the house, an’ go inter the room 
where you an’ Ned sleep. After havin’ taken a squint 
across the waters, as if you was tryin’ to locate Sea- 
view, if you don’t come to believe all I’ve said, then 
I'll agree never to wag my tongue agin where you two 
boys are.” 

Both Paul and Ned understood that Zenas would 
not have made such a statement unless thoroughly 
well convinced of its truth, and, besides, by this time 
he showed himself so thoroughly in earnest that with- 
out knowing exactly how danger might menace in 
this coming of the old smuggler, they were seriou^y 
disturbed in mind. 

When the two boys were in that room of the house 
which Mr. Sawtelle had built for the better accom- 
modation of himself, his partner and his assistants, 
where it was possible to have an unobstructed view 
of the ocean in every direction, but a single glance 
was needed to show through the powerful glasses that 
object which had caused Master Cushing so much 
mental trouble. 

The lenses brought close into view a solitary boat- 
man so distinctly that Paul could see in an instant 
that he who was resting leisurely on his oars in mid- 
ocean, so to speak, was none other than John Ed 
Bingham, and the lad need hot have been of a sus- 
picious nature in order to guess that Barren Island 
was the old smuggler’s destination. 

“Dear, dear!” he exclaimed as he handed the 
glasses to Ned. “I had thought the only trouble we’d 


30 


THE AEROPLANE 


have this summer would be in keeping inquisitive 
people away, and now it^s certain we’ll be in very 
much the same fix as last year.” 

‘There’s no question about that’s being Bingham,” 
Ned cried after focusing the glasses upon the bat- 
tered dory. “But say, Paul, what’s the sense in bor- 
rowing trouble? You can’t be in the same fix you 
were last summer, because then it was you and Zenas 
against the Downs family. Now we’ve got the crew 
of the Nera, Mr. Sawtelle, and your father, to say 
nothing of myself, to lend a hand, and if John Ed 
Bingham can stay on this island long enough to make 
trouble when all of us are on the watch for him, then 
he is bolder than I have credited him with being.” 

“It isn’t that I’m afraid we can’t keep him at a 
safe distance,” Paul replied mournfully. “You 
haven’t had a taste of watching the shore, skulking 
around in the darkness, and feeling that while you are 
at one end of the island he is making a landing at 
the other. Two or three nights of that kind of work, 
especially in a heavy storm, will give you a pretty 
clear idea that John Ed Bingham can make trouble 
for us even though he doesn’t disturb either the foxes 
or the aeroplane.” 

Ned still held the glasses leveled upon the ap- 
proaching visitor, and as Paul ceased speaking he ex- 
claimed : 

“It looks as if others beside us were concerned in 
what John Ed Bingham may do, for here’s a sloop- 
rigged boat coming from the direction of Seaview, 
and heading straight toward him. I wonder if the 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


31 


ofFcers are after the man on some old charge of 
smuggling 

With the naked eye Paul could see only the faint- 
est glimmer of white in the far distance, which might 
have been the crest of a wave or the tip of a gull’s 
wing; but after taking the glasses from Ned’s hand, 
he made out clearly a small craft, and at the same 
time that she came plainly into the lenses Bingham 
must have seen her, for on the instant he bent to the 
oars, swinging his dory around at an angle with the 
course he had been pursuing, and rowing vigorously. 

‘‘Whether it is someone from Seaview in chase of 
him or not, he believes in keeping out of the way,” 
Paul said as he explained to his comrade the sudden 
change in the situation. “He is rowing for all he’s 
worth, that’s certain, and unless I’m mistaken the 
sloop has been hauled up a bit further into the wind 
to cut him off.” Then, raising his voice, Paul cried 
so that he might be heard in the room below, “Hello ! 
Zenas! Come up here! Quick!” 

It seemed as if Master Cushing had started even 
before Paul spoke, for the words were hardly more 
than uttered when he was at the door of the room 
asking anxiously: 

“What’s the matter? Do you think I didn’t know 
that old smuggler when I saw him, even if I haven’t 
got a swell pair of glasses to squint through?” 

“It’s John Ed all right; but there’s a sloop just 
beyond his boat that’s maneuvering as if to cut him 
off; at least, he believes as much, for he has taken to 
the oars and is pulling for all he’s worth,” 


32 


THE AEROPLANE 


As he spoke Paul handed Zenas the glasses, and 
after gazing through them while one might have 
counted twenty, Master Cushing said in a tone of most 
intense satisfaction: 

“Pll eat my head if that ’ere sloop don’t belong 
to Capt’in Tobi Thompson. Yes, an’ Til bet great 
big dollars against the hole in a doughnut, that the 
old capt’in is figgerin’ that this is his chance to col- 
lect the money John Ed owes him on the sale of the 
Zoer 

'Ts he overhauling him?” Paul asked eagerly as 
Zenas continued to peer through the glasses. 

'‘Not to any great extent,” and Zenas chuckled 
as if the old smuggler was his particular friend play- 
ing some humorous joke upon an enemy. “When you 
catch John Ed nappin’, come an’ tell me all about 
it, ’cause it ain’t more’n once in a life-time, same as 
when we found him piled up in that ’ere schooner on the 
reef, that anybody gets the best of the villain. Do 
you see what he’s doin’? He’s pullin’ right up into 
the wind, an’ before Captain Tobi gets within gun- 
shot, the sloop’s canvas will be shakin’. All John 
Ed’s got to do is hold his course for the next ten 
minutes, an’ oh me, oh my! how Captain Tobi is 
lettin’ out, ’cause of course he can’t see what the 
trick is. That ’ere sloop of his won’t stand very 
close to the wind at the best of times, an’ he might 
jest as well give up the chase first as last, instead of 
hopin’ to catch the villain by tackin’.” 

Then, much against his will, Zenas yielded the 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


33 

glasses to Paul, and amused himself as best he might 
by watching the chase with naked eye. 

The old smuggler was a good oarsman, and Cap- 
tain Tobi’s boat not the swiftest in her class. Before 
five minutes had passed it was necessary to bring the 
sloop about, for the pursued had eaten his way up 
into the wind so far that a direct course could no 
longer be maintained by the pursuer, and when the 
sailing craft jibed Zenas cried as if the matter gave 
him greatest pleasure : 

‘'Capthn Tobi won’t collect the money that’s cornin’ 
to him on account of the Zoe this trip; but he’s done 
us a good turn without meanin’ it, for John Ed 
ain’t likely to get back this way ’twixt now an’ 
nightfall, seein’s how he’ll stand his course considera- 
ble of a spell before allowin’ that it’s safe to knock 
off work with the oars. Say, I’ll bet the air ’round 
that ’ere sloop is blue by this time, for Capt’in Tobi 
ain’t anythin’ like a lamb when he’s crossed same’s 
he’s been this time.” 

^Tt looks to me as if you might have a chance to 
hear what he has got to say,” Ned cried laughingly. 
"'Instead of putting about to chase John Ed, which 
wouldn’t be of any use I’ll allow, it strikes me he’s 
heading for Barren Island.” 

"An’ that’s what he is doing,” Zenas announced 
after taking the glasses once more. "He’s got so near 
that I reckon he thinks he may as well pay us a visit, 
an’ ’twixt now an’ night Daniel Downs will be out 
huntin’ a fresh rock cod. Never in my life have I 


34 


THE AEROPLANE 


seen a man that’s so stuck on fresh fish, no matter 
how you cook ’em, as Tobi Thompson. I reckon if 
the truth was known, he’s eat nigh as many in the 
course of his life, as are taken off the Banks in one 
whole season.” 

Ten minutes later the three came down from the 
chamber and made their way toward the cove where 
was lying at anchor the yacht Nera, and the stout 
Hampton dory. There was no longer any reason 
why they should remain on watch, because Captain 
Tobi’s intentions were now evident. His sloop was 
so near the island that the marine glasses were not 
necessary in order to hold her in view, and since there 
was no other port on the course he was steering, it 
became a certainty he would visit Silver Fox Farm. 

Hauled up on the shore were Mr. Downs’ dory, a 
jaunty tender belonging to the Neva, and the small 
power dory, which had been used by Paul before his 
father purchased the larger craft. 

^ We’ll launch Daniel’s boat an’ go out when he 
comes to anchor,” Zenas said as he set his shoulder 
against the bow of the dory. “I wouldn’t humor the 
old capt’in so much at any other time, ’cause it’s jest 
as well to let him holler a spell for someone to come 
out an’ take him off; but now I’m wantin’ to hear 
the first blast that he’ll fire off agin John Ed, an’ it 
ain’t likely to be mild !” 

Paul and Ned were not particularly anxious to wit- 
ness an exhibition of Captain Tobi’s rage. It was 
by no means a rare occurrence for him to fly into a 
furious temper, and he had given way to wrath so 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


35 

many times in their presence that it was not a 
novelty. 

However, the boys were ready to aid Zenas in his 
effort to find amusement, and laid hold of the dory 
with a will, getting her into the water many a long 
minute before the bow of Captain Tobi’s sloop ap- 
peared around the point of the cove. 

They had pulled a short distance out from the shore 
and were laying on their oars, when Mr. Simpson and 
Mr. Sawtelle came from the deck-house of the Nera, 
and Paul’s father hailed: 

“Why are you out there, son?” 

“Captain Tobi’s been chasing John Ed Bingham, 
and Zenas wants to hear the old man blow off when 
he first gets here.” 

“Meaning who. Captain Tobi or John Ed?” 

“Capt’in Tobi, of course,” Zenas replied with a 
laugh. “Bingham gave him the slip by pullin’ up into 
the wind. We were watchin’ through Mr. Sawtelle’s 
glasses. The sloop ain’t a very keen sailer, an’ when 
the capt’in found he couldn’t overhaul the smuggler, 
he headed for this port, fearing most likely he might 
explode if he stayed outside too long.” 

“What do you mean by saying he was chasing Bing- 
ham?” Mr. Simpson asked sharply. 

Then it was that Paul described what they had seen, 
declaring positively there could have been no mis- 
taking the old smuggler, who, evidently believing he 
was beyond range of vision from the island, had un- 
questionably been waiting until night before attempting 
to make a landing. 


3 ^ 


THE AEROPLANE 


This information caused the two men some little 
uneasiness of mind, as the occupants of the dory could 
see. Paul noted the fact that his father and Mr. Saw- 
telle spoke together earnestly, and that there was a 
look of surprise on both their faces, evidently caused 
by the fact that, apparently, Bingham’s first act after 
having been released from prison was to make for 
Barren Island. 

Then the two men reentered the deck-house of the 
Nera, and were hardly more than lost to view before 
Captain Tobi’s sloop poked her nose past the northerly 
point of the island, when Zenas, who was at the oars, 
pulled the dory out astern of the yacht where he had 
reason to believe the visitor would come to anchor. 

'‘What are you people doin’ here with your eyes 
shut?” Captain Tobi roared in a tempest note, as he 
came within hail, and Zenas replied innocently: 

“We saw you makin’ for the island, sir, an’ allowed 
that you mightn’t have a tender, so pulled out to lend 
a hand.” 

“Oh, yes, you could see me plain enough. I’ll war- 
rant you! Nothin’ else to do but keep your eyes 
where they weren’t needed! Why didn’t you watch 
out for that miserable villain who’s gone an’ got him- 
self pardoned, when, instead of goin’ free, he ought’er 
have been chucked into the deepest dungeon that was 
ever made.” 

“Do they have dungeons nowadays, sir, in state 
prisons?” Zenas asked, knowing that by thus appear- 
ing like a simple he could excite the captain to yet 
more boisterous rage. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


37 


^They don’t have what they ought’er, else mutton- 
heads like you would be taken care of,” Captain Tobi 
roared as he let go the jib halyards. ‘‘Settin’ here on 
your haunches wLile John Ed Bingham’s sneakin’ up 
to see what he can do to the foxes, an’ you not liftin’ 
a hand, eh? I allow Simpson pays you to have an 
eye out, an’ instead of doin’ your duty it’s ten to one 
you was crawled up alongside of somethin’ asleep! 
Why don’t you be a man an’ earn money that’s paid 
you ?” 

'‘That’s what I counted I was doing, sir, when I 
come down to bring you ashore,” Zenas replied, still 
striving to appear simple. 

“It’ll be a long day before I’m needin’ help from 
sich as you,” the old sailor roared. “ ’Tend to your 
own business, leavin’ me alone, an’ then you may 
get it inter your thick head that that miserable smug- 
gler’s snoopin’ ’round here, layin’ for a chance to 
come ashore.” 

“Are you still meanin’ John Ed Bingham, sir?” 
Zenas asked, and the boys could see that he was strug- 
gling to repress his laughter. 

“Of course I’m meanin’ him! If you wasn’t so near 
dead, you’d know he’s been bangin’ ’round outside 
here. Wasn’t three miles away when I overhauled 
him.” 

“Oh, you overhauled him, eh? Why, Capt’in Tobi, 
what a pity we didn’t watch through the glasses longer ! 
The last I saw was John Ed pullin’ up inter the wind, 
an’ forcin’ you to stand over on the other tack. I 
thought you’d give up tryin’ to catch him, so run 


38 THE AEROPLANE 

down here to launch the dory agin you come to 
anchor.’’ 

At that instant the old sailor was making ready to 
let go the mainsail; but he came to a full stop, still 
clutching the halyards, as he gazed in mingled anger 
and perplexity at Zenas, struggling meanwhile to give 
words to that which was in his mind. 

‘^So That’s the way You’re thinking to 

rub it into me, ’cause I made up my mind the game 
wasn’t worth the candle, an’ let that miserable, de- 
faultin’ smuggler go his way? You’re throwin’ it in 
my teeth that I couldn’t have caught him if I’d been so 
minded, owin’ to this sloop’s not sailin’ as fast as he 
could pull, eh? That’s what you mean to say to me, 

sir? Do you dare to ” 

“Now look here, Capt’in Tobi, don’t fly off so 
at us,” Zenas cried imploringly as if the old sailor’s 
wrath terrified him, and at the same time he could see 
out of the corner of his eye that Mr. Simpson and Mr. 
Sawtelle were amused by the visitor’s display of tem- 
per. “We ain’t a-sayin’ you couldn’t have caught him 
if you’d tried; but when you let him go his way an’ 
stood for the island, we thought it would be a friendly 
deed to come down here an’ take you ashore. Any- 
body would believe, accordin’ to the way you’re bio win’ 
off, that we had it in mind to harm you some way.” 

“Harm me?” Captain Tobi cried, shaking his fist 
in impotent rage. “Harm me, you witless creetur! 
I’d take you an’ John Ed Bingham an’ knock your 

heads together, if I felt inclined ” 

“You’d have to catch John Ed first, sir,” Zenas 



HE GAZED IN MINGLED ANGER AND PERPLEXITY AT ZENAS 




t 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


39 


said meekly. ‘‘An' seein’s how he ain't likely to come 
where you are very soon, s'posin' you heave over that 
anchor, an' let us put you ashore." 

The visitor had spoken with such strength of lungs 
that he would have been indeed deaf who, standing 
on any portion of Barren Island, could not have 
heard him, and therefore it was that Daniel Downs, 
whose home was not far from the head of the cove, 
had been warned in season that an old friend of his 
had come into^the harbor. 

Without loss of time he hurried down to the shore, 
^and while Captain Tobi was vainly endeavoring to 
think of words suitable as a rebuke to Zenas, the old 
farmer shouted: 

“Ahoy on the sloop! I’m jest goin' to send a boy 
out for a mess of rock cod, Capt’in Tobi, an' if so 
be you're agreeable, mother’ll make ready as trim 
a bit of salt pork as you ever clapped eyes on, agin 
the time they come back." 

The master of the sloop turned to look at Daniel 
Downs, and then wheeled about to face Zenas, seem- 
ingly struggling all the while to speak; but instead 
of doing so he flung out the anchor in a manner ex- 
pressive of unspoken anger, and, without waiting 
for a word of command. Master Cushing pulled the 
dory alongside. 

Captain Tobi gave no heed to those who had come 
to his assistance; but dropped and made snug the 
mainsail, overhauled the jib, coiled every piece of 
rope as carefully as if his craft was to go on exhi- 
bition before a critical audience, and then, in what 


40 


THE AEROPLANE 


he intended should be a dignified manner, he stepped 
on board the dory. 

Neither Paul nor Ned ventured to speak lest they 
arouse the wrath which the visitor was keeping in 
check, because of not being able to find sufficiently ex- 
plosive words, and Zenas rowed the craft to the shore, 
where Daniel Downs pulled her bow up on the sand. 

‘‘Pm glad to see you, Capt’in Tobi; right glad to 
see you; but what was that ’ere I heard Zenas sayin’ 
’bout your chasin’ John Ed Bingham? Is it true ” 

‘‘Don’t be a fool, Daniel Downs. If you are goin’ 
to get a mess of rock cod for supper, an’ allow that 
I’m to help eat ’em, it’s time you got about it.” 

Then Captain Tobi, seizing his would-be host by 
the arm, literally dragged him in the direction of the 
farm-house, as if they two were the omy persons on 
the island. 


CHAPTER III 


THE NIGHT ALARM 

There was a look of intense satisfaction on Zenas 
Cushing’s face when Captain Tobi and Daniel Downs 
disappeared from view within the farm-house, and 
Paul, who had failed to understand very much of 
what was going on, asked in perplexity : 

‘‘Why did you want to work the captain up to such 
a pitch? It seemed to me that at the start he was 
about as angry as was necessary.” 

“I was tryin’ to pay off an old score,” Zenas re- 
plied laughingly. “That man has bullied me when- 
ever he got the chance, an’ I’ve been layin’ for him. 
Besides, it provoked me considerable to have him come 
in here an’ try to vent his spite on us simply because 
John Ed gave him the slip. The trouble with Cap- 
t’in Tobi is that he’s got an idee, because of havin’ 
more money than the most of the folks in Seaview, 
that he can say anythin’ he pleases an’ everybody’s 
got to bow down an’ take it. Now I don’t really dare 
to talk back to him same’s I’d like to, so I stirred the 
old fellow up, to let your father an’ Mr. Simpson see 
jest what kind of a ravin’ maniac he is when he lets 
go of his temper.” 

“And the result is that you have made an enemy 
of him,” Ned added thoughtfully, whereupon Zenas 
replied as if it was a matter of little moment: 

“Don’t let that jar you, ’cause when he cools down 
he’ll forget that he made a howlin’ idjut of himself, 
41 


42 


THE AEROPLANE 


an’ swell ’round here as if he was the only gentleman 
in the gang.” 

Then Zenas, recalling all Captain Tobi had said, 
and understanding that his own foolish questions and 
remarks had excited yet further the old sailor’s anger, 
gave vent to noisy mirth until Paul shook him roughly 
by the shoulder, as he cried imploringly: 

“Don’t Zenas! Don’t make matters worse than 
they are. He can’t fail of hearing you, and we shall 
have him out here again, roaring in a way that really 
makes me ashamed because I live in the same town 
with him.” 

“He won’t show his head,” was the confident re- 
ply. “By this time he’s smackin’ his lips over the 
rock cod Mrs. Downs is goin’ to cook for him as soon 
as the boys can catch ’em. Or else he’s got old Daniel 
propped up in the corner, givin’ him fits ’cause John 
Ed Bingham slipped away so neatly. Here come Sam 
an’ Ernest bound out fishin’, an’ I’ll be pityin’ ’em 
if they don’t have a good catch within a mighty short 
time.” 

Mr. Downs’s sons came from the house slowly, as 
if not particularly pleased because of the task before 
them, and Ned asked as if he had no inkling of what 
they might have in mind : 

“What’s going on now, boys? We thought you’d 
stay in the house with the visitor.” 

“There ain’t much comfort in bangin’ ’round where 
Captain Tobi is, when he’s on his high horse same’s 
now,” Ernest grumbled. “Besides, however much we 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


43 


might want to stay at home, it couldn’t be done after 
he strikes here, for it’s a case of goin’ fishin’ ’bout 
as soon as he heaves in sight, an’ it seems like the more 
he eats the more he wants.” 

“It won’t do you any harm to have a little sport, 
an’ there’s no reason why you should hurry overly 
much about it,” Zenas said as if striving to excite the 
boys to anger, even as he had Captain Tobi; but in 
this he was unsuccessful, for the lads set about their 
task as if in haste to finish it, and before many min- 
utes had passed they were pulling out of the cove in 
the direction of the shoal, where the chances of mak- 
ing a good catch in a reasonably short time were known 
to be good. 

The owners of Barren Island had disappeared from 
view within the deck-house of the Nera, as soon as 
Captain Thompson entered the farm-house. The en- 
gineer of the yacht was below, giving no evidence of 
a desire to enjoy the society of Zenas and the boys, 
and the three were left comparatively alone on the 
beach, whereupon Zenas proposed, much to the sur- 
prise of Paul and Ned, that they go up to the “hotel” 
once more. 

“What’s to be done there?” Ned asked as if he 
had other plans in view, and Zenas replied with some- 
what of shamefacedness: 

“The fact of it is, boys, I hate to give in that I’m 
such a chump as not to be able to make out what Mr. 
Sawtelle’s drivin’ at when he talks about this ’ere 
cr^ft of his what’s goin’ to sail through the air like 


44 


THE AEROPLANE 


as if it was water. Now you’ve heard all he had to 
tell, an’ I’m askin’ to have it repeated to me in a way 
that can be understood.” 

“Why didn’t you listen when he was ready to ex- 
plain everything?” Paul asked. 

“Well, to tell the truth, it wasn’t any use, lad. He 
got to slingin’ ’round words that I’d never heard about, 
till I was clean worn out. Now if you boys could 
put it same as if you was tellin’ a reg’lar story, I 
might contrive to see some sense in the business.” 

“As you did when I tried my best to explain wire- 
less telegraphy,” Paul added with a laugh, whereupon 
Zenas insisted that while it was not to be expected 
he would understand that which Paul had admitted 
no person could explain satisfactorily, he should be 
able to master the details of a craft which was to be 
handled much the same as a vessel in the water, and 
so convincing was his argument that without further 
delay the boys set off in his company to overhaul once 
more the plans of the proposed aeroplane. 

How it was that Paul and Ned, who had just be- 
gun to have a smattering of Mr. Sawtelle’s scheme, 
could explain it better than that gentleman did, it is 
impossible to say; but certain it is they succeeded so 
well that by sunset Master Cushing declared he had 
a fairly good idea of the work to be done. 

“I’m not sayin’ as how I really believe them ’ere 
aeroplanes, as you call ’em, will do all you claim when 
they’re shoved this way or that; but I’m bound to be- 
lieve there must be something in the trick, ’cause it 
don’t stand to reason a man like Mr. Sawtelle would 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


45 


stand up here givin’ out yarns that hadn’t any truth 
in ’em,” Zenas said when the night had so nearly 
come that it was impossible to distinguish the deli- 
cate tracings on the paper. *T don’t want people to 
think I’m a stark natural fool who can’t get into his 
head such things as are marked out plain, an’ so I’m 
goin’ to spend all my spare time from this out fig- 
gerin’ it over.” 

Even though they had been inclined to continue 
the study of aeroplanes by lamp-light, there was no 
further opportunity, for at this moment the tooting 
of a horn at the door of the ‘Fotel” told that supper 
was ready. 

It should be explained here that Mr. Sawtelle, per- 
haps not quite satisfied with Mrs. Downs’s skill in pre- 
paring food, had brought ashore the cook of the Nera, 
and the owners of the island, together with Zenas, 
Paul, Ned and the crew of the yacht, had their meals 
served in the ^‘hotel.” The Downs family, and on 
this night their guest from Seaview, ate and slept in 
the farm-house as they had the previous summer. 

During supper-time the possibility that the old smug- 
gler whom Captain Tobi had unsuccessfully chased, 
might attempt to make a landing on the island that 
night, was discussed, and it appeared to be the opinion 
of Mr. Simpson and Mr. Sawtelle that he would, if 
he had had the intention of visiting the place, aban- 
don it after knowing that his purpose might be sus- 
pected. 

“However, we will run no chances,” Mr. Simpson 
said after considerable discussion, during which his 


46 


THE AEROPLANE 


partner made sport of his fears that John Ed could 
injure them. ‘‘Zenas, Paul and Ned shall patrol the 
coast from now until half-past ten, when they will 
waken Mr. Downs and his two boys to take their 
places. With three on watch, and the moon shedding 
nearly as much light as the sun, there is no possibility 
anyone may make a landing without our knowledge.” 

‘‘But there’s a chance that Mr. Downs may be 
frightened out of his boots again by John Ed, as he 
was last summer,” Zenas ventured to remark, where- 
upon Mr. Sawtelle laughed derisively as he replied : 

“The conditions are entirely different now. We 
have a considerable force of our own people, and the 
Downs family will not be able to control matters as 
they did when you had trouble with them.” 

Zenas did not venture to make any further remark; 
but it was evident, at least to Paul and Ned, that he 
was by no means satisfied with such a conclusion. 

As soon as the meal had come to an end, the three 
who were to go on duty left the “hotel” to begin their 
task, although even had it been known to a certainty 
that the old smuggler was hovering close at hand, 
intending to come ashore that night, there was every 
reason to believe he would not attempt to carry his 
plans into execution until a later hour. 

“It makes no difference whrat he may or may not 
do,” Zenas said when Paul suggested that there was 
little need of their hurrying to the several posts of 
duty. “We’ll do our work in proper shape, lettin’ 
them as come after us shoulder the blame, if any 
there be. Whether it’s late or early, the orders are 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


47 

to patrol the shore, an’ that’s what I count we’ll 
do.” 

Then the three separated, Zenas to pace to and fro 
on the northerly side of the island, giving due regard 
to the harbor, even though at that point it was hardly 
to be supposed the intending mischief-maker would 
land, because of the crew of the Neva, 

Ned was to keep his watch from the southerly point 
where a landing could be affected only with great diffi- 
culty, while Paul stood guard over Swallow-tailed 
Cove and such portion of the eastern shore as he 
deemed necessary. 

From that moment until their time of duty had ex- 
pired, the three watchers did not have opportunity for 
conversation one with another, save at such rare in- 
tervals as they came together while patroling their 
respective beats, and it was not until half-past ten, 
when Zenas called Paul and Ned to the harbor by 
whistling shrilly, that they had an opportunity to com- 
pare notes. 

Nothing suspicious had been seen. Thanks to the 
moonlight, it was possible to have an unobstructed 
view of the ocean in every direction as far as eye 
might reach, and had John Ed Bingham’s dory been 
within a radius of three miles they could not have 
failed to see it, even though it would appear as a tiny 
black speck upon the waters. 

'T’m allowin’ that up to the present time there’s 
no reason why we should bother our heads about that 
old smuggler,” Zenas said as he led the way to the 
farm-house that they might awaken Mr. Downs and 


48 


THE AEROPLANE 


his sons. ‘‘Even if he’s countin’ on cornin’ here to- 
night, it won’t be possible for him to strike the place 
till considerably past midnight, no matter how good an 
oarsman he may be, so we can settle down to sleep, 
knowin’ that nothin’ can happen until after Mr. Simp- 
son turns out, as he said he counted on doin’ long 
’bout twelve o’clock.” 

Much to the surprise of the boys. Farmer Downs 
was not indisposed to perform his share of the watch- 
ing, and Paul rightly concluded that the old man’s 
willingness arose chiefly from what Captain Tobi 
might have done in the way of arousing his fears re- 
garding the coming of Bingham. 

Ernest and Sam, however, were not as ready to for- 
sake their comfortable beds for a lonely tramp along the 
shore, as had been their father, and both boys grum- 
bled not a little because Zenas insisted on their 
showing themselves outside before he would re- 
turn to the building at the head of Swallow-tailed 
Cove. 

“I s’pose it is going to be the same old thing this 
summ.er as it was last; everybody on his ear ’bout John 
Ed,” Ernest grumbled as he rubbed his eyes vigorously 
to shake off the heaviness of slumber. “No matter 
whether it rains or blows, we’ve got to wander ’round 
every minute of the night, when most likely that old 
villain hasn’t any idee of cornin’ here ’cause of the 
state prison dose which he got.” 

“I reckon you’re right, Ernest,” Zenas replied 
laughingly, “an’ seein’s how you’ve got the thing down 
so fine, what’s the use of grumblin’? There’s no way 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


49 


out of it, so long’s this ’ere Barren Island is a fox 
farm, an’ John Ed Bingham can move around as he 
pleases. So get a move on; the orders are for your 
father to look after this side of the island. You are 
to go ’round Swallow-tailed Cove, an’ Sam can ’tend 
to the southerly end without straining himself very 
much.” 

Not until he had seen the members of the Downs 
family depart upon their several missions did Zenas 
give the word that, so far as Ned, Paul and himself 
were concerned, the night’s work had come to an 
end, and ten minutes later the three were sleeping 
peacefully, although perhaps a trifle noisily, in that 
room of the ‘‘hotel” which had been assigned as their 
quarters. 

Within less than an hour from the time Zenas and 
his assistants had crossed over into Dreamland, they 
were suddenly awakened by a vigorous pounding upon 
the door of the building, and while each fellow sprang 
to a sitting posture in the bed as if moved by a steel 
spring, it was possible to hear the voice of Mr. Downs 
as he shouted shrilly : 

“Fire ! Fire ! My house is afire !” 

There is little need to say that Paul and Ned were 
out of bed in a twinkling, with Zenas no less prompt 
to move, while the noises from different parts of the 
building told that all its inmates had been aroused by 
the farmer’s outcry. 

“It’s Bingham!” Paul muttered, giving words to 
that fear which was uppermost in his mind when he 
laid down to sleep, and Zenas cried sharply, even 


50 


THE AEROPLANE 


while doing his best to clothe himself within the short- 
est possible space of time : 

“That’s foolishness! We’ve been asleep about an 
hour, an’ John Ed couldn’t have pulled the dory over 
here in that time, seein’s he wasn’t in sight when we 
turned in.” 

In the distance could be heard Mr. Downs shouting, 
evidently to arouse the crew of the Neva: 

“Fire I Fire ! My house is afire 1” 

It is safe to say that not more than two minutes 
elapsed from the time they were awakened, before 
the two boys and Zenas stood in the open air gazing 
toward the farm-house, which, even in the short while 
that had elapsed since the first alarm, appeared to be 
enveloped in flames. 

The owners of the island, followed by the cook, 
were hurrying toward the scene of the disaster, as if 
it might be possible for them to do something toward 
extinguishing the flames, although all must have known 
beyond a peradventure that they, with no facilities 
for fighting fire at their disposal, could do little less 
than watch the devouring element. 

“The old house must have been burnin’ half an hour 
for the flames to get such a headway as this,” Zenas 
cried as he ran, speaking with difficulty because of 
his heavy breathing, and Paul, his mind still dwelling 
upon the fears of the evening, muttered as if simply 
giving words to the thoughts that had come into his 
mind : 

“How was it possible Bingham could have done this 
thing so soon after we went off duty?” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


51 


‘‘He hasn’t done it, I tell you,” Zenas cried angrily, 
half turning even as he ran, in order to face the lad. 
“It is some blunder of old Downs’s; perhaps Captain 
Tobi went to bed with a lighted pipe. I tell you 
it’s an accident! Nothin’ that Bingham could have 
done.” 

Surely it seemed as if Zenas was correct, because, 
unless the old smuggler had been hidden on the island 
at the very moment when the first watch was set, it 
would have been difficult for him to have pulled across 
the moonlit waters without being seen while they 
were patrolling the coast. If no more than an hour 
had elapsed since they came off duty, then surely there 
had not been time for him to have come from out 
the darkness, rowed across that broad expanse of light, 
landed, and set fire to the building. 

When Zenas and the two boys were come as near 
the flames as the heat would permit, it was not pos- 
sible for them to do anything in the way of saving 
property, for already had the fire fastened upon every 
portion of the doomed home, and, so far as could be 
seen, not the smallest article of furniture had been 
saved. 

Mrs. Downs, with Ernest and Sam by her side, 
stood like one crazed, wringing her hands and repeat- 
ing again and again in a voice hardly louder than a 
whisper, the one word “fire,” while Mr. Downs moved 
to and fro muttering threats against some person un- 
known. . 

“How did it happen, Daniel?” Mr. Simpson asked 
as he forced the old man to cease his feverish walk 


52 


THE AEROPLANE 


by laying a hand on his shoulder. ‘‘What do you 
know about 'it?” 

“Not the first blessed thing, Mr. Simpson. I was 
down on the southerly point of the cove when some- 
thin’ made me look up toward the house, an’ the fire 
was coming straight through the end window. I 
might have known that John Ed would pay me off in 
some way sich as this for what I did agin him last 
year.” 

“Now don’t be foolish, man!” and Mr. Simpson 
shook the farmer roughly. “Leave off being such an 
idiot as to lay everything at John Ed Bingham’s door. 
If you and your sons stood watch as was your duty, 
neither Bingham nor any other man could have made 
a landing here without your knowledge.” 

“I’m ready to swear from now till doomsday, that 
no man could have kept an eye out better than I did 
from the time Zenas Cushing knocked off work, until 
I saw the house blazin’.” 

“What about Sam and Ernest?” 

The boys, who had been standing by the side of 
their mother, wheeled quickly around, so eager to 
insist that they had not neglected their task of watching 
that Paul felt doubtful whether they were speaking 
the truth. 

“After we got awake, sir, it was an easy matter to 
stand guard, because on such a bright night as this no 
feller would want’er crawl away into the bushes to 
sleep,” Sam cried earnestly. “When I stood on the 
high land it was possible to have the whole stretch 
of the sea before me, an’ I’ll venture to say there 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


53 

couldn’t have been a floatin’ log nearby that I wouldn’t 
have seen.” 

^There is little need of this cross questioning,” Mr. 
Sawtelle interrupted impatiently. ‘To my mind it is 
not possible the smuggler could have come ashore. 
What say you, Zenas?” 

‘T’ll go bail that up to the time Paul and Ned went 
off duty with me, Bingham was neither on the island 
nor in sight, an’ I’m claimin’ that if at the very min- 
ute we turned in he had started, there wouldn’t have 
been time for him to make a landin’ an’ set the fire, 
because, mind you, sir, that ’ere blaze must have been 
begun quite a spell ago to get sich a headway. 
Where’s Captain Tobi? He ought to know something 
about this thing?” 

“Here’s where he is,” came a gruff voice from the 
distance; “an’ I’d like to have you tell me, Zenas 
Cushing, how you make out that I ought’er know 
more’n anybody else?” 

“Well, it seems so, seein’s how you must have been 
inside while the old shack was burnin’ pretty lively,” 
Zenas replied curtly, and the old man bellowed: 

“Aye, so I was, an’ it’s more by good luck than good 
wit that I got out alive, which is all you can say about 
it, seein’s how I left my reefin’ jacket an’ pipe behind 
me, because there wasn’t time to fetch ’em away, or 
else I was too flustered to remember ’em, one or the 
other.” 

“An’ it’s that same pipe, sir, that came into my 
mind when I first saw the blaze. Was you smokin’ 
after you went to bed?” 


54 


THE AEROPLANE 


* ‘‘Well, what if I was?” Captain Tobi roared. 
“Haven’t I a right to smoke when I please ?” 

“Aye, sir, that you have, only it came to my mind 
that perhaps you might have fallen asleep, an’ the fire 
in the pipe wasn’t wholly out when you dropped off.” 

“Do you take me for a fool who don’t know enough 
to put his pipe out when he’s goin’ to sleep ?” the old 
sailor cried with every evidence that his temper was 
running away with him once more, and Zenas whis- 
pered to Paul: 

“I’m bettin’ great big money, lad, that that’s the 
secret of the whole thing. Captain Tobi’s jest the 
same as admitted that he was smokin’ in bed, and if 
the truth’s ever known, you’ll find out it’s at his door, 
and not at John Ed Bingham’s, that you can lay the 
blame of this ’ere night’s work.” 

“What wakened you, Mrs. Downs?” Mr. Simpson 
asked, forcing the good woman to give her attention 
to the question by gripping her arm firmly. “What 
did you see when you first opened your eyes?” 

“Just the fire, sir. It was all around me, an’ good- 
ness knows what it was roused me, except it might’er 
been the heat.” 

“But all four sides of the room couldn’t have been 
afire,” Zenas interrupted, “else there wouldn’t have 
been a chance for you to get out.” 

“I don’t suppose they were,” was the meek reply, 
and Mrs. Downs clasped her hands tightly together 
as if to prevent herself from giving way to noisy 
grief once more. “I know that the end of the room 
over the kitchen was all afire, an’ I had just time 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


55 

enough to pick up my clothes an’ run before the win* 
dow curtain flamed up.” 

‘‘Where was Captain Tobi?” Zenas asked. 

“In the spare room, of course, an’ that is at the very 
end of the house, as you know.” 

“Still tryin’ to make out that I was such an idiot as 
to set the bed-clothes afire with my pipe, eh?” the 
old sailor roared ; but Zenas gave no heed to his ques- 
tion, while Mr. Simpson changed the subject of con- 
versation by saying inquiringly : 

“Then you haven’t saved any of your property?” 

“I haven’t so much left as a rollin’ pin,” Mrs. Downs 
wailed, and being thus reminded of her great loss she 
no longer strove to control her grief, but gave way 
to weeping, while Mr. Downs paced nervously to and 
fro muttering unintelligible words which sounded very 
like threats. 

There was nothing to be done save make arrange- 
ments for sheltering the family which had been thus 
suddenly rendered homeless. The farm buildings, dry 
as tinder, burned rapidly, and it was to Ned and Paul 
as if within ten minutes from the time of their having 
been aroused by the alarm of fire, the house was in 
ashes. 

“Whether such an arrangement pleases us, or not, 
Mr. Downs and his family must be brought into our 
quarters,” Paul heard his father say to Mr. Sawtelle, 
and the latter nodded his head in a way which told 
that he was not overjoyed at having such an addi- 
tion to his household. 

“I shall never be able to eat what she cooks,” he 


56 


THE AEROPLANE 


muttered under his breath, and Mr. Simpson replied 
cheerily : 

“There will be no need of it. Send the cook back 
to the yacht, and we can take our meals there, leaving 
to Mrs. Downs the exclusive use of the kitchen.” 

“But we haven’t chambers enough to accommodate 
all hands,” Mr. Sawtelle objected, hoping that by find- 
ing difficulties he might in some way prevent this 
change of quarters. 

“Send Paul and Ned aboard the yacht to sleep. 
Mr. and Mrs. Downs can use their chamber, while 
Sam and Ernest must get along as best they can in 
the shanty which was used last season for the wireless 
station.” 

Before daylight the change as suggested by Mr. 
Simpson had been made. Zenas, with the two lads, 
found comfortable quarters in a couple of small state- 
rooms aboard the Nera, after having been called upon 
to row Captain Tobi out to his sloop before they turned 
in to get such rest as might be possible during the re- 
mainder of the night. 

The old sailor was yet angry because Zenas had 
intimated that the fire might have been caused by his 
carelessness, and for the time refused to enter into 
conversation with either Master Cushing or the boys; 
but before having gotten aboard his craft Captain 
Tobi’s tongue was loosened. 

“You may say what you’ve a mind to about John 
Ed’s not havin’ had time to get on to this ’ere island 
so’s to set a fire,” he burst out while he was being 
taken to the sloop. “I hold to it that that ’ere house 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


■57 


never went up in smoke owin’ to anythin’ which was 
done fairly, although we can’t put it directly on the 
shoulders of the miserable smuggler.” 

“Do you allow, Capt’in Tobi, that he might have 
been layin’ plans to get even with Daniel Downs?” 
Zenas asked as if in surprise, and the old sailor re- 
plied in a confidential tone : 

“While you foolish people have been figgerin’ it 
out so’s to lay all the blame on my shoulders, Fve 
kind’er biled the thing down in a way to suit myself, 
an’ this ’ere’s pretty near how it stands, ’cordin’ to my 
belief: John Ed Bingham must have known that he 
was goin’ to be pardoned some time before the thing 
really happened, an’ I’m reckonin’ he laid plans with 
his cronies — perhaps the very crew that manned the 
schooner what went ashore on Beekman’s Ledge, — to 
meet him here on Barren Island. You people haven’t 
been keeping watch in the night because of allowin’ 
that all you had to guard against were curious summer 
visitors, so what hindered two or three men from 
cornin’ ashore twenty-four or forty-eight hours 
ago ?” 

“If anythin’ like that had been done we must have 
seen their boat, ’cause it don’t stand to reason they 
could have walked here,” Zenas replied impatiently, 
and Captain Tobi asked with a grin: 

“Have you hunted ’round to find it?” 

“Well, now, we haven’t, an’ that’s a fact. Such 
an idee never come into my mind,” and Zenas began 
to look perplexed. “Of course I ain’t sayin’ but that 
there might be one hidden somewhere on the island. 


58 


THE AEROPLANE 


though it stands to reason it couldn’t be. Anyhow, 
I’ll have a look after daylight.” 

‘‘An’ by that time, if it so be any of John Ed’s 
friends fired the house, they’ll have got clear, for the 
moon is nigh to settin’, an’ it won’t be such a very 
hard matter, now all hands of us are mixed up, as 
you might say, for ’em to get away without bein’ 
seen.” 

Paul was actually sorry that Captain Tobi had sug- 
gested such a possibility. While guessing at the cause 
of the fire, he had come to believe without a question 
that the conflagration was the result of an accident on 
the part of some inmate of the house, and allowed 
himself to be convinced that the old smuggler could 
have had no hand in it, all of which was satisfactory, 
since it served to allay any fears as to the future. 

Now, however, he had ample cause for dismal fore- 
bodings. Captain Tobi’s supposititious explanation 
might readily be true, and Paul understood full well 
that those who had done the mischief would have 
every opportunity of leaving the island, regardless of 
what might be done to prevent them, between now and 
the setting of the moon. 

‘Tt is too bad !” he exclaimed just as the dory came 
alongside the sloop. 

'‘What’s too bad?” Captain Tobi asked as he fended 
the bow of the clumsy craft off lest the paint of his 
boat should be marred. 

“That we’ve got to be standing guard all the time 
because of that miserable Bingham, believing it is in 
his power to make mischief for us. If they had only 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


59 


let him stay in prison we would have had a pleasant 
summer, even though it may not be possible to make 
an aeroplane that will navigate the air/' 

^^Fd sooner take my chances agin John Ed Bingham 
than in one of them pesky contraptions sich as Saw- 
telle allows to build," the old sailor said angrily as he 
stepped aboard his sloop, at the same time pushing 
off the dory regardless of the wishes of her crew, as 
if to say that he had no further need of them. ''You 
can talk until you’re black in the face about buildin’ 
somethin’ that’ll fly the same as a bird; but Captain 
Tobi ain’t puttin’ any faith in such fool business. Yes, 
yes, I know what they say,’’ he added when Paul would 
have interrupted. "You can hear a lot of yarns about 
what’s been done in Germany, or England, or away 
off in the furthermost corners of this country; but 
we’ve never seen any of ’em ’round Seaview, an’ until 
the day when they show themselves, there’s no man 
livin’ who can stuff that kind of nonsense down my 
throat. What John Ed may do won’t be a marker 
alongside the happenin’s after Sawtelle gets his con- 
trivance rigged, an’ starts out chasin’ crows.’’ 

Then Captain Tobi disappeared down the compan- 
ion-way of the small cabin, bringing the interview to 
an abrupt close, and Zenas with his companions went 
on board the Nera, not to sleep, because there was 
too much of excitement in the air to permit of closing 
their eyes in slumber; but to discuss the possible cor- 
rectness of the old sailor’s guess-work regarding the 
mischief which had been done that night. 

Before they had been on board the yacht ten min- 


6o 


THE AEROPLANE 


utes, Paul suddenly remembered that no one had been 
assigned to guard duty from that time until sunrise, 
and he would have gone on shore again to remind his 
father that it was necessary close watch be maintained, 
but that Zenas prevented him by saying grimly: 

*T’m allowin’, lad, that your father and Mr. Saw- 
telle come mighty nigh knowin’ as much about this 
thing as you do, an’ there’s no need of tryin’ to tell ’em 
their business. Then ag’in, they’re the bosses, an’ if so 
be they’ve decided that there’s no need of keepin’ watch, 
which is my belief to a dot, why it ain’t for us to butt 
in with cheap advice! The proper thing for you is 
to get what sleep you can ’twixt now an’ sunrise, for 
Pm allowin’ that then, what with this shiftin’ ’round 
in the way of leavin’ the buildin’, an’ the air-ship 
scheme, an’ standin’ lookout against John Ed Bingham, 
we’ll have about as much to do as is needed to keep 
us out of mischief.” 


CHAPTER IV 


AT WORK 

Before sunrise Paul and Ned succeeded in closing 
their eyes in sleep, but Zenas made no attempt at gain- 
ing any rest. Captain Tobi’s suggestion that friends 
of John Ed Bingham’s might be responsible for the 
destruction of the farm-house, had alarmed him more 
than he was willing to admit while talking with the 
boys. 

When their heavy breathing told that they had 
finally journeyed into the land of Nod, Cushing slipped 
solftly out on deck, and a few minutes later pulled 
ashore, after which he made as thorough a search of 
the coast as was possible in the darkness, with a view 
to learning whether or no a landing had been effected 
at any point. 

In this, as a matter of course, he was unsuccessful. 
On the south end of the island only with exceeding 
difficulty could a boat approach the shore. In case, 
however, one was thoroughly familiar with the coast, 
he would come upon a reef extending close to the line 
of foliage, and, consequently, any craft as small as an 
ordinary dory might have been hauled up amid the 
thicket without leaving any traces which could be 
perceived, save by a skillful woodsman, ' such as Zenas 
was not. 

Until nearly an hour after sunrise he continued this 
useless and fatiguing labor, when, convinced against 

6i 


62 


THE AEROPLANE 


his will that there could be no hope of accomplishing 
his purpose, he retraced his steps to the harbor, intend- 
ing to go on board the yacht, and arriving there just 
as Captain Tobi came ashore. 

‘‘Well, what are you pokin’ ’round for at this time 
of the day?” the old sailor asked as if it angered him 
to see Zenas abroad so early. 

“To tell the truth. Captain Tobi, you kind’er stirred 
me up with what you said when we put you aboard 
the sloop, an’ I was snoopin’ ’round with the idee that 
it might be possible to find out if anybody had landed 
here within the past four an’ twenty hours.” 

“An’ that’s where you’re makin’ a fool of yourself, 
Zenas Cushing. If so be Bingham’s friends set fire 
to Daniel Downs’s house, they took good care to get 
clear away before this. I’m allowin’ that unless they 
were the veriest kind of fools, they put off from this 
’ere island as soon as the mischief had been done, an’ 
were most like out of sight before the alarm was given. 
But say, how about grub now that Daniel’s place has 
gone up in smoke?” 

“I heard Mr. Simpson and Mr. Sawtelle saying that 
Mrs. Downs could go into the hotel, an’ they would 
get their meals on board the yacht.” 

“Then I reckon I’ll take pot-luck with Daniel,” Cap- 
tain Tobi said decidedly. “I ain’t say in’ that Mr. 
Sawtelle’s cook can’t dish up food in great shape ; but 
somehow or other it’s too finicky for me. Now, 
Daniel will most like have a bit of fried pork for 
breakfast, an’ if there’s been anything in the way of 
potaters saved from the fire, why I’ll be better satis- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 63 

fieri with that kind of fare than with all the gimcracks 
that could be mixed up aboard the yacht.” 

‘‘You’ve got a good stout breeze if you count to 
make Seaview this mornin’,” Zenas suggested, wonder- 
ing why it was the old sailor delayed at the island now 
that the facilities for housekeeping had been so de- 
cidedly curtailed. 

“Want to get rid of me, eh?” Captain Tobi roared. 
“Allowin’ that you can’t keep visitors ’round ’cause 
there’s so much of secrecy everywhere ; is that it ?” 

“I wasn’t allowin’ anythin’, Captain Tobi. My one 
idee was that you counted on goin’ to Seaview, an’ 
you know that the mornin’ breeze is like to peter out 
before noon. It only struck me that if I was goin’ 
across, I should take advantage of what wind was 
blowin’ at the present time.” 

“Well, I’m not goin’ across, leastways not for quite 
a spell,” the old sailor said very decidedly, and Zenas 
looked at him in open-mouthed astonishment. 

“Count on hangin’ ’round here to see how they build 
the air-ship, eh?” 

“I don’t admit to bein’ quite such an id jut as that, 
Zenas Cushing; but I’ve had considerable truck with 
Mr. Sawtelle an’ Simpson, since I took the Nera in 
hand for repairs, an’ it strikes me that now is the time 
when I can do ’em a friendly turn by hangin’ on.” 

“In what way, sir?” Zenas asked, surprised that 
the old captain should show a willingness to do any- 
thing, however slight, when there was no reasonable 
expectation he could earn a dollar by it. 

“I suppose your folks count on gettin’ to work with 


64 


THE AEROPLANE 


that fool scheme of Sawtelle’s pretty soon, eh?” Cap- 
tain Tobi asked abruptly, as if not having heard Mas- 
ter Cushing’s question. 

'T allow that’s the idee, seein’s how we had to set 
still yesterday, an’ listen to a lot of dumb talk about 
what had been done in the way of flyin’.” 

“Well, that bein’ the case, an’ allowin’ that all you 
people, with the exception of Daniel an’ the boys, of 
course, will be foolin’ away your time on wild goose 
hunts. I’ve figgered it up with myself to take com- 
mand here, so to speak. Now don’t get so wild eyed, 
Zenas Cushing, for I ain’t allowin’ to boss the work 
you’ve been hired to do; but just to keep a watch out 
agin John Ed an’ his friends. Daniel hasn’t got 
what you might call the back-bone to tackle such a 
job, because he’s too easy scared out of his wits; but 
if I hang ’round to brace him up an’ see that he don’t 
get frightened by anythin’ that may be said, I reckon, 
’twixt his boys, himself an’ me, we can come pretty 
near bein’ certain that that miserable old smuggler an’ 
his gang don’t do any mischief hereabout.” 

“Have you said anythin’ to the owners of the island 
about it?” Zenas asked carelessly. 

“No, because the idee didn’t strike me till I turned 
in this mornin’; but that’s neither here nor there. I 
allow I’m neighborly enough to do a good turn when 
I can, seein’s how business is slack over to Seaview, 
an’ I’ve got nothin’ special to do. I shan’t be mixed 
up with any air-ship capers, or any silver fox cod- 
dlin’, that you can go bail on ; but set it right down in 
your book, Zenas Cushing, that so long as I stay on 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


65 


this ’ere island, havin’ an eye out on Daniel an’ the 
boys, there won’t be any foolin’ ’round done by John 
Ed, though I’m hopin’ he’ll try right soon. ’Cause 
why? ’Cause there’s a bit of a settlement cornin’ 
’twixt him an’ me regardin’ the Zoe, an’ now is my 
chance to collect the money due.” 

^'How are you countin’ on anythin’ of that kind, 
sir?” Zenas asked meekly. 

“First an* foremost we’ll allow, as I reckon is rea- 
sonable, that sooner or later John Ed will try to make a 
landin’ here unbeknownst to anybody, an’ if so be I’m 
in charge of what you might call the defenses of the 
island, there’s mighty little show of his doin’ much 
without I get my hands on him. After that it’s plain 
sailin’.” 

“I can’t say as I follow you, Capt’in.” 

“No? Well, that’s ’cause you’re dumber than you 
ought’er be, Zenas Cushing. S’posen I once get my 
hands on John Ed, when he’s stuck his nose in where 
it don’t belong, it will be a case of my say in’ to him: 
‘Here, you smugglin’ scoundrel, pay what you owe for 
the Zoe, givin’ an imitation of an honest man for once 
in your life, or else back you go to jail !’ ” 

Then, as if matters had been settled to his entire 
satisfaction. Captain Tobi rolled along on his way to 
the “hotel,” and surely from the distance it did appear 
as if he was really rolling, owing to his superfluous 
flesh and peculiar gait. 

The tooting of a horn from the deck of the ISl era at 
this moment gave Zenas to understand that breakfast 
was ready, and he lost no time in going on board, find- 


66 


THE AEROPLANE 


ing there the owners of the island, as well as Paul and 
Ned, already at table. 

As a matter of course he gave a detailed account of 
his interview with Captain Tobi, concluding by saying: 

‘The old fellow really believes he can take care of 
us all in great shape, an’ has got an idee in his mind 
that you’ll be tickled way down to the ground to have 
him here.” 

‘T am not certain but that it will be a good scheme, 
providing he doesn’t count on being paid for his serv- 
ices,” Mr. Sawtelle said thoughtfully, and Paul’s father 
added : 

“It is positive that he can keep Daniel Downs an’ 
his sons up to the mark better than any other man 
I know of, and if we are to begin work this morning 
on the aeroplane, there will be no reason why we 
should devote any of our time to guarding against 
visitors, for surely Captain Tobi and the Downs fam- 
ily can act the part of watchmen during the day-time.” 

“Are we really to begin on the flying machine, sir ?” 
Paul asked of Mr. Sawtelle, and the latter replied with 
a smile : 

“I think it is high time, lad, and it was because of 
such idea that I inflicted the lecture upon you which 
Zenas was unable to stand.” 

“I’d have stood it all right, sir, if I could have got 
any sense in it at the start; but you had no sooner 
begun than you threw me clean off the track by usin’ a 
lot of words I’d never heard before, an’ what was the 
sense of listenin’ when I was all at sea?” Master Cush- 
ing said in an apologetic tone. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


67 


‘Terhaps you will get the idea in your mind better 
after we have begun the task,” Mr. Sawtelle replied 
with a smile. ^‘Once we have given shape to the ma- 
chine, it will be indeed a dull man who cannot under- 
stands the whys and wherefores of it all, owing to the 
simplicity of construction. Mr. Simpson and I have 
decided that th-e real work shall commence this morn- 
ing, and from now on, unless it so be the worthy Mr. 
Bingham causes more trouble, there will be no 
loitering.” 

“Are we three to live aboard the yacht entirely, 
sir?” Paul asked as he motioned toward Ned and 
Zenas. 

“That is the present intention. If Captain Tobi 
remains on the island he can find quarters with the 
Downs family, so that he does not interfere with our 
plans.” 

“You may set it down as a fact, sir, that whether 
it’s a church fair or a dog fight that’s goin’ on, where 
Captain Tobi is he’ll be bound to have a finger in the 
pie,” Zenas said laughingly, and Mr. Simpson replied 
sharply : 

“When he attempts anything of the kind, the old 
fellow will find very suddenly that his presence here 
is not needed. Now if you have finished your break- 
fast we will go up to the work-shop, where I count on 
showing some photographs which will make more 
plain the plans I have drawn, for my proposed aero- 
plane is to be built on somewhat similar lines as those 
constructed by the Wright Brothers.” 

Paul and Ned were at a loss to understand what Mr. 


68 


THE AEROPLANE 


Sawtelle meant by the ‘Svork-shop,’’ for to their 
knowledge there was no building on the island which 
could be so designated. 

They followed him over the rail, however, without 
questioning, and when the little party arrived at the 
shore they saw the engineer, his assistant, and the one 
man who aided in working the Nera, coming from the 
direction of the “hotel.^^ 

“Have you done the work?” Mr. Sawtelle asked of 
the engineer, and the latter replied cheerily: 

“Aye, aye, sir, she’s all up; but I’m thinkin’ we’d 
best put on a few more guy ropes after we’ve had a bite 
to eat, for if the wind comes ’round from the north, as 
it’s like to do in case of a storm, something will be 
needed to stiffen her a bit” 

“Very well, attend to the matter as soon as you have 
had breakfast,” the owner of the Nera replied, and the 
boys were yet more perplexed because of not under- 
standing what the “she” referred to might be. 

It was all made plain, however, when they arrived 
at the “hotel,” for on the westerly side of the building 
had been erected a huge canvas tent no less than fifty 
feet long, and more than half as wide, with sides that 
could be raised or lowered at will. 

“Where did that come from?” Zenas asked in sur- 
prise. 

“It has been stowed away aboard the Nera, and I 
had it taken out before daylight this morning, for all 
hands were so excited by what occurred during the 
night that there was no inclination to sleep,” Mr. Saw- 
telle replied, and Paul asked: 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 69 

^‘Why didn’t you build a log house for the work- 
room, sir?” 

‘Tt struck me that this would be more convenient, 
for once our machine is finished we have only to re- 
move the canvas covering in order to get it out, and 
then, by raising it again, have our work-shop as 
before.” 

Instead of going directly into the tent, Mr. Saw- 
telle led the way to that apartment where the plans 
were yet lying upon the table, and, after arranging 
them in due order, he brought out from the locker a 
photograph of the Wright aeroplane. 

“You see, lads, ours will be something after the pat- 
tern of the French machines, having those planes 
which might be called the upper and lower decks, made 
of a wooden frame-work covered with cloth, which 
gives us a surface of somewhere about five thousand 
square feet, since each deck is perhaps forty feet long 
and seven wide.” 

“What’s that ’ere little contrivance on the side?” 
Zenas asked, now showing decided interest such as he 
had never displayed since the scheme of building the 
aeroplane had been broached. 

“That’s the rudder,” Mr. Sawtelle explained. “The 
two plane surfaces, meaning the small upper and lower 
decks, are fifteen feet long and three wide. Between 
them is, as you see, a vertical, half -circle five and a 
half feet long and about a foot wide, of wood, trussed 
tojgether. Now here,” and he pointed to the center of 
the larger structure, “is the motor, and opposite it, as 
shown, is the propeller of wood. I intend that there 


70 


THE AEROPLANE 


shall be two of these propellers, driven by a four-cylin- 
der, 24-horse-power motor, which should give us at 
least four hundred revolutions per minute. Now 
to come back to the larger structure: The rear por- 
tion of these two main decks, as we will call them, can 
be warped by the mechanism — that is to say, one raised 
while the other is lowered, which serves to direct the 
flight. All the levers and transmission rods are of 
wood; the only metal about the machine being the 
shafts, and supports for the screw propellers, of small 
wires, which unite and stiffen the different portions. 
Have you now a fair idea of what we count on 
building?” he asked abruptly, turning toward Zenas, 
and the latter replied with a long-drawn sigh of 
relief : 

“Aye, sir, I’m gettin’ into it as I never did before, 
and it’s all owin’ to them pictures. If you’d shown 
’em in the first place, I believe I might have had wit 
enough to understand what you was sayin’, even 
though I did get tangled up with some of the big 
words.” 

“Very well. It now remains for us to set up the 
frame. The lumber for the construction of the ma- 
chine is, as you know, stored in the building here, and 
our first act must be to make ready for the carpenters’ 
job.” 

There was no further need for Mr. Simpson to urge 
that either of his assistants study the mechanism of 
the aeroplane, for after being able to understand the 
plans by aid of the photograph, even Zenas was fever- 
ishly eager to begin the task, having corpe to believe. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


71 

as never before, that there was a possibility of naviga- 
ting the air. 

During four days the building of the craft was car- 
ried on industriously, and to such effect that by the end 
of that time the frame-work was so nearly in shape 
one could see what the builders were aiming at. In- 
stead of being forced to excite Zenas to labor, it be- 
came really a difficult task to make him cease when 
night had come. 

‘Tt didn't seem reasonable that we could build any- 
thin' which would sail in the air; but yet I declare if 
it don't begin to look as though there was something in 
it after all," he repeated again and again, and if this 
particular craft failed of being a success, no blame 
could attach to Master Cushing, for a more careful 
w^orkman it would be difficult to find. Every joint 
must be made exactly, in order to suit him; every bit 
of wood used in the construction was examined with 
extraordinary care, and if he had been allowed his 
own way, only a small portion of the material which 
Mr. Simpson had brought to the island would have 
been utilized, because of his insisting that something 
better be procured. 

During all this time that the two boys, Zenas, and 
Mr. Sawtelle labored earnestly and faithfully. Captain 
Tobi had full command of the island, at least in his 
own opinion, and it is safe to say that Daniel Downs 
and his two sons were never more active in all their 
lives. At almost any hour in the day or night could 
the captain's tempestuous voice be heard, urging one 
or another to this task or that, all of which was con- 


72 


THE AEROPLANE 


nected with guarding against inquisitive visitors, until 
even Mrs. Downs herself was heard by Ned to de- 
clare that she ‘‘had never been driven at such a rate 
before, and she would be thankful indeed when Cap- 
tain Tobi went back to Seaview so she might draw a 
long breath.'' 

It is true that no token of John Ed Bingham or any 
other evil-disposed person had been seen. It was as 
if the old smuggler yet remained closely confined in 
prison so far as the inhabitants of Barren Island were 
concerned, and more than once Ned declared it was 
his belief that, knowing his first intentions had been 
discovered, the man did not dare carry into execution 
any scheme for revenge. 

Captain Tobi, however, would not admit for a sin- 
ir gle instant that there was any possibility John Ed 
Bingham would forego, or even postpone, his plans 
for paying off old scores. 

“He’ll come sooner or later," the hot-tempered cap- 
tain said again and again to one or the other of the 
boys. “He's just idjut enough to believe he can break 
up this whole bloomin' show, an' he’ll try for it as 
sure as my name’s Tobias. That’s all I'm askin’ for, 
is to have him try, an’ then I’ll get my hands on him 
in such a way that he won’t give me the slip.” 

Finally came the day when it was necessary to pro- 
cure certain materials which had been left in storage 
at Seaview, and because the engineer of the Nera was 
doing good service in the work on the aeroplane, Mr. 
Sawtelle decided that it would be as well for Zenas 
and Paul to run over in the Hampton boat, more par- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


73 


ticularly since that craft was sufficiently large to bring 
back all the goods which would be required. 

‘‘Of course we’ll go, an’ feel kind’er glad to be 
afloat once more,” Zenas said when the subject was 
brought up at the breakfast table, speaking as if Mr. 
Sawtelle desired to know if it would be perfectly 
agreeable to these employes of his to undertake the 
voyage. “The Hampton boat will be handier than the 
Nera^ an’ won’t use up half so much gasoline, although 
it may take us an hour or so longer on the , round 
trip, which don’t count for very much.” 

“Then you and Paul may set off at once,” Mr. Simp- 
son said, and Zenas added in almost a mournful tone 
as he rose from the table: 

“It seems kind’er funny for me, who didn’t have 
any faith in flying machines, to say this; but it’s a 
fact just the same : I’m sorry to knock off work even 
for two or three hours, for that ’ere aeroplane is 
cornin’ along in fine shape, an’ I’m mighty anxious to 
see how she’s goin’ to work.” 

“In about two weeks from now, if nothing goes 
wrong meanwhile, you will have a chance to take pas- 
sage in her, for I’m counting that the first flight shall 
be to Seaview,” Mr. Simpson said laughingly, and 
Zenas replied in something very like alarm : 

“It ain’t that I’m achin’ for a chance to break my 
neck; but I want to see what she will do while I’m 
standin’ on the land where I can’t tumble out.” 

“I thought you had become convinced that we would 
be able to handle the aeroplane in the air as we would 
a vessel on the water?” Mr. Simpson said laughingly. 


74 


THE AEROPLANE 


“Well, sir, I’ve got some such idee, seein’s how the 
thing looks likely so far’s we’ve gone ; but I ain’t quite 
fool enough to risk myself on her, not at any very 
great distance from the ground.” 

Then Zenas hurried out from the cabin, and ten 
minutes later he and Paul were on board the Hamp- 
ton boat, while Ned shouted as he stood on the shore : 

“Now would be a good time to try the wireless; we 
haven’t used it for a couple of months, and are likely 
to get rusty in the work unless we have a little prac- 
tice now and then.” 

“You be at the instrument two hours from now, 
and I’ll talk with you,” Paul replied as he took his 
station at the helm, and Zenas started the motor, the 
staunch little craft darting forward under the impulse 
of the screw. 

Half an hour later the owners of Barren Island, to- 
gether with the engineer of the Nera and Ned Bart- 
lett, were in the canvas work-shop busily engaged upon 
what Daniel Downs still persisted in calling “the 
funniest contraption ever put together,” when Cap- 
tain Tobi entered, making his first visit since the 
aeroplane had been begun. 

Up to this moment he had claimed that it was not 
his purpose to make any attempt at “flying in the face 
of Providence” by trying to go where only birds are 
allowed, and therefore it was he had refused even 
to take heed as to what the laborers were doing, going 
so far in his prejudices as to give a wide berth to the 
work-shop when he entered or came out of the “hotel.” 

Because of his persistent shunning of the scene of 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


75 


labor, all beneath the canvas roof were surprised at 
seeing him enter with the air of one to whom such 
things are familiar, and Mr. Simpson said laughingly: 

‘‘Have a care of yourself, Captain Tobi, or you 
may fall into a streak of bad luck by coming where 
we are tempting Providence.” 

“I allow that I’m willin’ to go wherever I’m 
needed,” the old sailor said gruffly, and Mr. Sawtelle 
asked with a smile : 

“What has happened to prove that you are needed 
here just now?” 

“It is all very well for you to poke fun at a man 
who is doin’ his best to help along in this fool play 
when he has neither faith nor interest in it,” Captain 
Tobi began, his voice growing louder with each word 
until it seemed as if the tent was filled with a tempest 
of noise. “I’ve took it on myself to see that no harm 
comes to the foxes while you are a-wastin’ of your 
time on this crazy contraption, as Daniel calls it, an’ 
I allow he’s given the thing the right name.” 

“Well, Captain Tobi, whether it’s owing to your 
vigilance, or Mr. Bingham’s indifference, I am unable 
to say ; but certain it is that during the past four days 
we have been unmolested even by rumors,” Mr. Saw- 
telle said laughingly as he continued his work on 
one of the rudder planes. 

“Very well, then it’s allowed that I haven’t failed 
in my part of the contract ” 

“I am not aware that there was any contract, sir,” 
Mr. Simpson interrupted. “You took it upon your- 
self to keep Daniel and his sons up to the work of 


76 


THE AEROPLANE 


guarding against inquisitive visitors, and that’s about 
as near as you can come to a bargain between us.” 

*'Have it any way you please, if you are so mighty 
careful to make out that there was no trade in this 
’ere work of my takin’ charge as I have done. I’m 
an old fool, I know, for spendin’ my time here; but 
howsomever I’ve done my duty by you, an’ have come 
to say that to the best of my belief you’re likely to 
need me more’n you’ll need any other man from this 
out” 

"‘What do you mean. Captain?” Mr. Sawtelle asked 
in surprise, for by this time the old sailor was speak- 
ing in a solemn tone, as if he had upon his mind mat- 
ters of the greatest importance. 

“Meanin’ that it looks to me mightily as if John 
Ed Bingham, or some of his gang, was hoverin’ ’round 
here waitin’ for a chance to sneak ashore when we 
haven’t got our eyes peeled. If any of you will take 
the trouble to go down to the southerly pint, you’ll 
see a little fore-an’-aft schooner which has to me the 
look of the craft that went ashore on Beekman’s 
Ledge, hove to four or five miles away.” 

'^A fisherman?” Mr. Sawtelle asked with seeming 
indifference. 

“Fisherman nothin’ ! You couldn’t catch a flounder 
where she’s layin’, not if you kept your lines out from 
now till the day of doom.” 

“Why is she hove to there ?” 

“That’s jest what I’ve come to tell you about,” and 
now the old man gave token of losing his temper. 
“How long must I stand here talkin’ in order to make 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


77 


you see what’s as plain as the nose on your face? 
Yonder is a fore-an’ -after hove to. Why? There’s 
only one reason, ’cause there’s a free wind whichever 
way she wanted to go. The answer is that she’s got 
somebody aboard as counts on landin’ here, an’ I’ve 
come up to see if you’d be willin’ to have me use them 
’ere marine glasses of your’n?” 

“I can’t believe that anyone who intended to work 
us mischief would set about it in such a clumsy 
fashion,” Mr. Simpson said as he went back to his 
work with the air of one who dismisses from his mind 
everything annoying. ‘^There’s no reason, however, 
why you shouldn’t have the glasses, and without 
spending so much breath in the asking. Take them at 
any time you choose. Captain Tobi; they will always 
be found in the library, except when in your pos- 
session.” 

The old sailor made no further delay; but rolled 
away as if in haste, and Mr. Sawtelle asked of his 
partner, as if it was a matter of very little moment : 

‘‘Do you fancy there’s even the possibility of a chance 
that your smuggler would be so foolish as to adver- 
tise his coming by leaving a craft in full view of us?” 

“He has done that same thing before,” Mr. Simp- 
son replied, “and must have learned the folly of it, 
therefore I can’t believe Captain Tobi’s suspicions 
have any foundation; but it is well to know that the 
old sailor is keeping such a sharp watch.” 

Then the subject was dropped for the time being, 
as the two discussed the proper method of making 
a joint, and Ned, realizing that the time had come 


78 


THE AEROPLANE 


when he agreed to be at the wireless to answer Paul’s 
signal, hurried away to the instrument without ac- 
quainting either of the gentlemen with his purpose. 

When he entered the room which Mr. Sawtelle had 
finished with a view to every comfort and convenience, 
Ned could not but ask himself why it was that he 
and Paul had neglected their work with the wireless 
so long simply because a novel scheme had presented 
itself. 

“When it comes right down to dots, the aeroplane 
isn’t in it compared with this,” the lad said as he 
seated himself at the instrument and began testing 
it. “Here’s something we boys worked out by our- 
selves, and yet seem to have forgotten it simply 
because someone comes along with a scheme for build- 
ing an air-ship, and that somebody wouldn’t be here 
if it hadn’t been for this same wireless telegraph 
which Paul and I installed. The Nera must have 
gone to the bottom of the sea; the silver foxes might 
have been killed or stolen before they began to feel 
at home, and no one knows what other damage would 
have been done if we lads hadn’t been able to send 
a message, as Daniel Downs said, on ‘nothin’ but 
air.’ ” 

Ned was not anticipating any news of a startling 
or even entertaining nature from Paul. The idea 
simply had been to make a test of the instruments, and 
therefore it was that, outside of a certain professional 
pride in what was much the same as his own handi- 
work, he had no interest in the message which he ex- 
pected to receive. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


79 


When, after waiting half an hour, the call p — 1 
was clicked out as clearly as could have been pro- 
duced by a higher-powered instrument, he answered 
it in a leisurely way, writing slowly the words : 

‘'All right, old man; I got you in first-class shape.” 

“Where’s father?” came the words from Seaview, 
and by the manner in which the letters were formed 
Ned instinctively understood that Paul was laboring 
under no little excitement. 

“Out in the tent with Mr. Sawtelle, of course,” Ned 
answered. 

“I just came from Mansfield’s store,” Paul wrote 
rapidly as if believing the time was precious. “He 
says John Ed Bingham put in here yesterday with 
the same schooner that went on Beekman’s Ledge — 
had five men with him. Bought stores of Mansfield 
— when he left this harbor stood straight off to the 
westward as if heading for Barren Island.” 

“Jiminy!” Ned exclaimed when he had written the 
last word. “Captain Tobi didn’t make such a howl- 
ing idiot of himself when he told about the fore-an’- 
after being hove to down here. Five men with John 
Ed, and acting as if they didn’t care whether we saw 
them or not.” 

He was so excited as to forget that Paul was wait- 
ing for some reply, until the call p — 1, p — 1, was 
sounded, one might almost say in a peremptory man- 
ner. 

“What’s the matter ?” he asked, 

“Didn’t you get the message just sent?” 

“Of course I did,” was the reply. 


8o 


THE AEROPLANE 


*'Why didn’t you reply?” 

‘‘You knocked me silly. Captain Tobi reported 
half an hour ago a fore-and-after hove to four or five 
miles away.” 

“That’s the old smuggler!” Paul replied. “Tell 
father we’ve got the material aboard, and ask if we 
shall do anything more. I’ll wait until you speak with 
him.” 

As Ned afterward said, in telling the story to 
Zenas, the owners of Barren Island “stood up and 
took notice” when he repeated to them the message 
which had beem sent from Seaview. 

If he had counted on creating a sensation by re- 
porting the doings of the old smuggler, he was not 
disappointed. 

While one might have counted twenty the two men 
gazed at each other in silence, and then Mr. Simpson 
said, speaking deliberately as if to give due emphasis 
to every word: 

“There is no question but that Bingham counts on 
working a mischief, and the fact of his being so care- 
less convinces me he is ready to use force instead of 
cunning, as when he landed here last summer.” 


CHAPTER V 

CAPTAIN TOBI IN COMMAND 

Ned waited a full minute for some further com- 
mand from Mr. Simpson, and, since the two men 
stood gazing at each other in silence, apparently giv- 
ing no heed to him, he asked timidly : 

"‘Shall I send any word to Paul, sir 

It was Mr. Sawtelle who made reply, by saying hur- 
riedly : 

“Ask him to try to find out who the men are Bing- 
ham has with him on board the schooner ; but tell him 
not to spend very much time on what is really of 
little consequence. He and Zenas are to come back 
as soon as possible,’’ and the gentleman added to his 
partner, "T have been thinking that it would be a 
good idea to have the Hampton boat patrol the coast 
to-night, in addition to our force on shore.” 

Mr. Simpson nodded; but did not speak, and Ned 
hurried back to the room in which was the telegraph 
instrument, when he sent to Seaview a condensed re- 
port of the command which Mr. Sawtelle had given. 

“There is no sense in our spending very much time 
trying to get the names of the men,” Paul telegraphed. 
“Mr. Mansfield said they were strangers, and it is cer- 
tain if he doesn’t know them, we cannot find anyone 
here who does.” 

“Then the word is for you to come back at once.” 

“Anything particular to be done ?” Paul asked, and 
Ned could fancy he was surprised at being ordered 

8i 


82 


THE AEROPLANE 


to return in haste when it must have seemed to him 
as if there was already on the island a force sufficient 
to cope with any party, however desperate, which John 
Ed Bingham might bring. 

“The Hampton boat is to be used in patrolling 
the coast, and I reckon it will be an all-night job for 
some of us.’’ 

“We will start at once. Good-by.” 

There was no reason why Ned should linger longer 
at the instrument, for he understood that his friend 
had left the station in haste, and he was disconnecting 
the motor when Captain Tobi entered in what might 
truthfully be called an excited manner. 

“So that ’ere fore-an’-after down yonder has been 
into Seaview, has she?” the old sailor roared, and Ned 
wheeled about in astonishment as he asked : 

“How did you know?” 

“Simpson was jest tellin’ me of the word Paul 
sent. I reckon these ’ere silver fox farmers will be 
willin’ to agree now that Tobi Thompson ain’t more’n 
half as big a fool as he looks. The idee of my not 
knowin’ whether that fore-an’-after was hove to for 
business or mischief! The miserable scoundrel’s plan 
couldn’t have been plainer to my eye if he had writ it 
all out in so many words.” 

“And you think he will come on the island to-night, 
sir?” Ned asked, not because he was eager to have 
a reply to the question, but because it seemed neces- 
sary to make some rejoinder to the old sailor’s re- 
mark. 

“That’s what he’ll try to do,” Captain Tobi roared^ 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


83 


‘‘an’ I’m only prayin’ an’ hopin’ he will come, ’cause 
then is my turn, and when I get a twist on that 
scoundrel’s neck he’ll be mighty glad to pay his honest 
debts, if no more.” 

Then the captain literally rushed into that room 
which was called the ^‘library,” where the partners 
yet remained, and since he had nothing better with 
which to occupy his attention, Ned followed to learn 
the cause of the old sailor’s haste. 

“I want you to give me full charge in this ’ere 
matter, Simpson. Let me have free swing for the 
next four an’ twenty hours, an’ I guarantee to lay 
John Ed Bingham by the heels, or give you my head 
for a foot-ball.” 

“Why is it necessary you should be in command?” 
Mr. Simpson asked laughingly. “Do you fancy Mr. 
Sawtelle and I might be in the way, or that you 
wouldn’t need the crew of the Nera in order to cap- 
ture the smuggler?” 

“Too many cooks spoil the broth,” Captain Tobi 
roared, “an’ that you had good proof of last summer, 
when he gave all hands of you the slip at a time you 
were certain he was here on the island without means 
of gettin’ away. Now what I’m after is to catch the 
villain, an’ hold him fast until we can settle this 
matter for good an’ all. So I’m askin’ that you give 
me full charge here for four an’ twenty hours. I’ll 
take Daniel Downs and his two sons; the rest of the 
crew go on board an’ snore till daylight, when you 
shall say to me, ^Captain Tobi,’ says you, ‘where is 
John Ed Bingham?’ an’ I’ll say to you, says I, ‘Simp- 


84 


THE AEROPLANE 


son, I’ve got him trussed up down here by the ruins 
of Daniel’s house, an’ am ready to bring him off to 
the yacht, or take him to your quarters, jest as you 
choose.’ I’m tellin’ you the work will be done, an’ 
in proper shape, if I can have full swing here with 
nobody to interfere. Daniel an’ the boys will walk 
a chalk line when I say the word, which is more’n I’d 
be able to say for the rest of the crew.” 

‘‘You remember. Captain Tobi, that according to 
word received from Seaview, John Ed has five men 
with him,” Mr. Simpson suggested, and the old sailor 
replied : 

“I don’t care if he’s got five times five men; I’ll 
lay him by the heels. When it comes to that, he can’t 
bring ashore more’n three, ’cause two will have to 
be left to handle the schooner. That will make four 
of them, and here’s four of us. I’d undertake to catch 
the villains single-handed, if it wasn’t that I might 
need somebody to keep ’em from runnin’ away. You 
see I ain’t what might be called a lean man, an’ con- 
sequently, can’t be depended upon for much of a race. 
Now Daniel an’ his boys ain’t given to too much 
flesh, an’ they’ll ’round ’em up for me.” 

Mr. Simpson looked at his partner with a question 
in his eyes, and the latter nodded as if to say he was 
willing Captain Tobi should have the opportunity he 
so ardently desired, therefore Paul’s father said after 
a brief pause : 

“Go your own gait. Captain Tobi, and with the 
understanding that you are confident of being able to 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


85 


capture Bingham. There must be no mistake about 
this matter. I do not intend that we shall waste our 
time guarding the island against him, and want every- 
thing settled as soon as he makes his venture.” 

‘'The first time he steps his foot on Barren Island 
shall be his last, an’ I’ll take my ’davy on that, 
Simpson,” the old sailor roared. ‘T’m rememberin’ 
how he turned up his nose at me after you had him 
arrested, jest ’cause I hinted that he’d better pay for 
the Zoe before he went into prison. If so be he 
lands on this ’ere farm to-night, there won’t be 
a sicker man in the state than that same Bingham, 
cause I’ll have him in my clutches makin’ him walk 
Spanish.” 

“Very well, captain, it shall be as you wish; but 
don’t you think it will be prudent to take Zenas and 
our two boys to help you out?” 

“With Daniel an’ his sons I’ll have all the force 
that’s needed, an’ I’m mighty sorry, owin’ to not bein’ 
able to run as fast as I could when I weighed less, 
that I’m obleeged to call in so many, for I’d rather do 
the job up with my own two hands.” 

“What are we to do?” Mr. Sawtelle asked, and 
Captain Tobi roared as if in a rage : 

“Do? Why, keep on about your work here, tryin’ 
to make somethin’ that will flock with the crows. Do 
anythin’ you please so you keep out’er sight. I don’t 
want anybody ’round except Daniel an’ his boys. 
When it comes time to knock off in this crazy business, 
go aboard the yacht an’ stay below, an’ after sunrise, 


86 


THE AEROPLANE 


if you’re ready to say how John Ed shall be served 
out, call for me, when I’ll fetch him up to you with his 
wings clipped.” 

Then the captain, as if fearing the agreement to 
give him full charge of the island during the coming 
night might be broken if he lingered, hurried out of 
the building, and those who remained in the library 
could hear him shouting with tempest note : 

“Daniel ! Ernest ! Sam ! Get a move on ! What 
are you sogerin’ there for when there’s work on hand ? 
Ahoy, you lubberly farmers! I’m needin’ you down 
at the cove.” 

And Mr. Sawtelle said laughingly as he gave his 
attention once more to the work before him : 

“Whether Captain Tobi catches Bingham or not, the 
Downs family are likely to work harder this night 
than they ever did before, and I’ll venture to say that 
neither the old man nor the boys will have an oppor- 
tunity of sleeping ’twixt now and sunrise.” 

Ned tried to follow the example of the two gen- 
tlemen by continuing that portion of the work which 
he had been doing when it became necessary to go 
into the wireless station; but his fingers refused to 
obey the commands of his brain. There was no 
doubt but that the old smuggler was near at hand, 
and inclined for mischief; it seemed positive there 
would be a small-sized battle on the island before 
morning, and he was so thoroughly excited that it 
was an impossibility to fix his attention upon anything 
which required skill or patience. 

Mr. Sawtelle, who overlooked jealously everything 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 87 

done by his assistants, quickly noted the fact that the 
lad was not in condition to do such work as was re- 
quired, and said in a kindly tone : 

“I fancy, my boy, that it will be just as well if 
you occupy your time with whatsoever is most agree- 
able. You are not working that stay as skillfully as 
it should be done, because your mind is elsewhere, so 
loaf around outside until Zenas and Paul come.^’ 

“I am sorry if I have been careless,” Ned said con- 
tritely. ‘Tt has mixed me up to think of what may 
happen to-night; but I will try to do better work.” 

‘‘There's no great need for haste in the building of 
this craft, and it is just as well that you lay still a 
while.” 

So far as calming his nerves was concerned, Ned 
might as well have remained in the work-tent. He 
went from the “hotel” to the harbor and back again, 
walking swiftly as if the time which hung so heavily 
on his hands was very precious, and each moment he 
grew more disturbed in mind, not from fear that John 
Ed Bingham might be able to work his will; but be- 
cause of the possibility that Captain Tobi would not 
succeed in his purpose. 

Once on board the Nera he found her crew twisting 
the small wire ropes which were to be used in the 
construction of the aeroplane, with never a care as to 
what might occur on Barren Island during the coming 
night. 

He saw the Downs boys hurrying to and fro from 
the harbor to the southerly point, and thence to Swal- 
low-tailed Cove, without apparent aim, and under- 


88 


THE AEROPLANE 


stood that they were striving to appear exceedingly 
busy in order to satisfy their task master who was in 
temporary command of the island. 

Then, when it seemed as if a full half-day had been 
spent, the Hampton boat came around the point 
swiftly, and he hurried out in the old dory to meet 
Paul, as if expecting to receive from the lad later 
intelligence than that which had been flashed across 
the waters by the wireless telegraph. 

“How does it happen you are loafin’?” Zenas asked 
with a grin as Ned came alongside. “Knocked off 
buildin’ air-ships because John Ed is on the war 
path?” 

“Did you hear anything more from Mr. Mansfield ?” 
Ned asked, ignoring Zenas’s question, and Paul shook 
his head. 

“He had told us all he knew at the start, and we 
didn’t spend our time running around Seaview when 
there wasn’t one chance in a thousand that we could 
pick up anything more. Is the schooner hove to off 
there where she was when you telegraphed?” 

“Yes; at least she was a half hour ago. Captain 
Tobi has got charge of things now, and it seems as 
though your father and Mr. Sawtelle don’t care what 
happens.” 

“Captain Tobi got charge? What do you mean?” 
Zenas asked sharply, whereupon Ned repeated as 
nearly as possible the conversation which had been 
held in the work-tent, and when he was come to the 
end of his story Master Cushing cried in a tone of 
discontent : 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


89 


“It beats all how foolish some men can be! The 
idee of lettin’ that crazy-headed sailor run things just 
because he’s bent on gettin’ what money John Ed owes 
him! Now you listen to me. It ain’t any two to 
one that Captain Tobi, smart as he thinks he is, won’t 
be laid by the heels ’twixt now an’ mornin’, if so be 
Bingham comes ashore. Why don’t they go to work 
an’ let Mother Downs take charge of the business? 
I’ll go bail she could have done it as well as that wild 
capt’in can.” 

“But surely he ought to be able to catch John Ed, 
with Daniel Downs and the two boys to help him.” 

“Yes, he ought’er,” Zenas sneered. “That’s what 
I should call the blind leadin’ the blind. So far’s 
Sam and Ernest are concerned. I’d rather have ’em 
in bed than ’round where I was tryin’ to do anythin’ 
very nifty, for they’ve got no more back-bone than a 
flea. An’ dumb? Why, they don’t know enough to 
go in when it rains ! A fine gang it’ll be to catch an 
old weasel like John Ed.” 

“Well, that’s what they count on trying to do,” Ned 
said, feeling decidedly uncomfortable in mind after 
hearing Zenas’s opinion. “Paul’s father and Mr. Saw- 
telle seemed willing enough to have the thing go that 
way, and I don’t know as it’s any of our business. 
According to the captain’s orders we are to stay under 
cover. He gave out that we were to remain below 
after going to supper on the yacht, so that no one 
could see us.” 

“So that’s the way he’s beginnin’, eh?” Zenas said 
in a contemptuous tone. “We are to keep out of 


90 


THE AEROPLANE 


sight, and he’s to run the thing, with Daniel and them 
two imitation boys of his to help him. Oh, well. 
I’ll stay below all right; I won’t worry my head; 
but I’ll bet great big dollars against the hole in a 
doughnut that Tobi Thompson will wish he had some- 
body at his back besides the Downs family, if he comes 
face to face with Bingham.” 

“But why should you get so excited about it?” Paul 
asked laughingly. “If Captain Tobi falls into trouble, 
it won’t hurt you any.” 

“It won’t so far as skin is concerned; but the idee 
is that we’ve most likely got a chance to catch Bing- 
ham foul, an’ it’s all to be muddled by Captain Tobi.” 

“How would you change things if you could?” 
Ned asked with a laugh that had in it little of mirth. 

“I’d call out every man on the island to ’round the 
old smuggler up, so’s to make certain he didn’t give 
us the slip. Who wants to stay here all summer, 
same’s we did last season, on the lookout for him, 
when by doin’ things as we ought’er we could wind up 
his career with a sharp turn? Stay below? You bet 
I will, an’ that’s where I’m goin’ now,” Zenas added 
as he leaped into the dory, and if the boys had not 
followed him at their best speed he would have pulled 
across to the Nera alone, leaving them aboard the 
Hampton boat to get ashore as best they might. 

“Ain’t you going to take our cargo out?” Paul 
asked when Zenas took up the oars and began rowing 
vigorously. 

“Didn’t Ned say we were to keep out of sight?” 

“But that was after we went on board the yacht 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


91 


for supper/’ Master Bartlett replied curtly. '^Just 
because you don’t like the arrangement of matters, 
there’s no reason why you should neglect work.” 

'T ain’t neglectin’ it,” Zenas said surlily. ‘T’m 
waitin’ till I get orders, and if that crazy-headed 
capt’in is in charge of the island, I s’pose they’ll have 
to come from him. Anyhow, I’m going to have 
a talk with the engineer, an’ you can do as you please.” 

Then Zenas clambered over the Neva's rail, and 
Paul, knowing full well it was necessary to report that 
the Hampton boat had arrived, went ashore in the 
dory with Ned, the two hurrying at once to the ‘‘ ho- 
tel ” without discussing the situation of affairs which 
had so disgruntled Zenas. 

‘Tt will be as well if you bring the lumber ashore 
in the morning,” Mr. Sawtelle said when the 
boys had made their report; but the fact that just then 
his attention was fully occupied with testing the sup- 
ports of the main planes, explained why he did not 
give detailed instructions as to what should be done 
with the material. 

“Anyhow, it is too late to get all the stuff ashore 
before dark, because it’s so near night now, and I 
suppose it is just as well to let things remain as they 
are,” Paul said as he followed Ned out of the work- 
room, and Master Bartlett said despondently: 

“I wish Zenas hadn’t been so certain about Captain 
Tobi’s failing to catch Bingham.” 

“Don’t be foolish,” Paul cried laughingly. “Simply 
because Zenas does or does not believe a thing, won’t 
make it so. Of course it’s possible Captain Tobi may 


92 


THE AEROPLANE 


blunder; but he’s so eager to get the money due him 
on account of the Zoe that I believe he will carry 
on the work properly. At all events we are out of 
it, so let’s go aboard the Nera and take things as com- 
fortably as possible.” 

Nothing was to be seen of the old sea captain or 
any of his assistants as the boys went from the “hotel” 
to the harbor, nor did Zenas put in an appearance 
when they clambered over the Neva's rail, making 
sufficient noise in so doing to warn anyone aboard 
that visitors had arrived. 

“He’s most likely stewing over this thing with the 
engineer; finding fault with Captain Tobi, and com- 
plaining because father and Mr. Sawtelle don’t do 
exactly as he thinks is right,” Paul said with a laugh. 
“Let’s go into the wireless room, and make ourselves 
comfortable.” 

The boys set about striving to pick up some mes- 
sage from across the waters, and although unsuccess- 
ful in such efforts, they spent the time very happily, 
if not profitably, according to their own opinion, until 
the owners of Barren Island came aboard in response 
to the cook’s warning that supper was served. 

Zenas showed himself at the table that evening, for, 
except when he had important business on hand. Mas- 
ter Cushing delighted in satisfying the cravings of 
hunger; but he took no part in the conversation even 
though it had reference almost exclusively to John 
Ed Bingham. 

Mr. Simpson amused himself with speculating as to 
how Captain Tobi intended to draw his net around the 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


93 


old smuggler beyond the possibility of failure, and Mr. 
Sawtelle repeated the promises and threats which the 
owner of the sloop had made, declaring that it was 
a most novel method of collecting a debt. 

Zenas remained as dumb as any fish, and his em- 
ployers must finally have suspected that he was out 
of humor, for Mr. Sawtelle said laughingly, when the 
meal was come to an end : 

‘T suppose it would have pleased you better to have 
made the capture yourself, in order to pay off the old 
scores, eh, Zenas?” 

'T don’t care whether it’s me or somebody else, so 
the job is done,” Master Cushing said gruffly, and 
again Mr. Sawtelle laughed as he asked : 

"‘Do you mean to insinuate that Captain Tobi can’t 
do it in the most approved fashion?” 

“I ain’t insinuating nothin’ ; but I’m sayin’ right up 
an’ down as a fact, that if that crazy old sailor can 
muddle things he will, an’ I allow he won’t have any 
great amount of trouble in doin’ it to-night when he 
bucks up against John Ed.” 

‘^But we have his positive pledge that he will deliver 
the smuggler to us at sunrise to-morrow morning.” 

‘Well, there’s no need of my believin’ it until I see 
it, is there?” and Zenas rose from the table abruptly, 
going at once on deck despite Captain Tobi’s orders 
that all hands should remain below, and neither Paul 
nor Ned saw him again until after they had retired. 

The silver fox farmers and the air-ship builders were 
accustomed to go to bed early, and it was not yet 
nine o’clock when the two lads were sleeping peacefully 


94 


THE AEROPLANE 


in their bunks aboard the Nera, forgetting alike the 
chances that John Ed Bingham might succeed in work- 
ing mischief, and the possibility that the aeroplane 
could be made to sail through the air once it was 
completed. 

Neither of the lads knew at what time Zenas re- 
tired, although he had the cabin next to theirs; but 
certain it was he turned in before daylight, for it was 
yet dark when he aroused them by crying : 

‘^Ahoy in there! The sun ought to rise, if he's on 
time, in less than an hour, so s’posen we three go 
ashore an' see what Captain Tobi’s done with the 
smuggler ?" 

"‘Haven't you been to sleep yet?" Ned grumbled, not 
inclined to turn out before daylight. 

“Of course I have; an’ seein’s you turned in pretty 
early in the afternoon, there’s no reason why you 
haven’t had sleep enough." 

Both the boys knew it would be useless to make 
any attempt at closing their eyes again in slumber 
while Zenas was bent on arousing them, and although 
not quite certain that Captain Tobi would be pleased 
to have them come ashore before he had given the 
signal, they followed Zenas within as short a time after 
having been awakened as it was possible to make a 
hurried toilet. 

Even though the yacht lay at anchor where there 
seemed to be little chance any harm could come to 
her, Mr. Sawtelle had insisted that watch be kept 
during each night, and he who chanced to be on duty 
at that time hailed Zenas when he would have gone 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


95 

over the rail into the dory which was moored along- 
side, by asking: 

^'What’s going on now? Where are you bound?” 

‘The boys an’ I are goin’ ashore to see what kind 
of a fist Captain Tobi has made at catchin’ Bingham,” 
Master Cushing replied meekly, for he understood that 
this man was but obeying orders when he insisted 
on knowing who came on board, or departed from, 
the craft, at such an hour. “How long have you been 
on watch?” 

“Nigh to two hours.” 

“Have you heard anythin’ from the shore?” 

“Not a hooter. I reckon if that ’ere fat sailor did 
any business last night, he wound it up pretty early, else 
I’d have heard something even if it was no more than 
a sneeze.” 

“It would be kind of funny if Tobi Thompson had 
done just as he agreed on, an’ got hold of John Ed 
without any trouble,” Zenas muttered as he went over 
the rail, and the boys followed at his heels, not inclined 
to conversation because of their sleepiness; but with 
never a question as to the possibility that the captain 
had failed in his purpose. 

“We won’t make overly much noise,” Zenas said as 
he pulled carefully, taking due heed lest the oars click 
in the row-locks, “because there’s no reason why we 
should let Captain Tobi know we’re try in’ to sneak 
up on him. Now I’m allowin’, if so be he did get 
John Ed, that he’s carried him where he agreed, 
an’ there’s where we’ll go. I’ll toddle along ahead, an’ 
you fellers come close behind without speakin’,” 


96 


THE AEROPLANE 


As Zenas had proposed so the little party did, and 
stealthily, as if bent on some unlawful business, they 
crept along the sandy shore; then across the grass- 
sward until having come to the ruins of the farm- 
house, which they circled completely without seeing or 
hearing anything of those whom they sought. 

“li he got his hands on John Ed this night, iPs cer- 
tain Capt’in Tobi didn’t carry out the whole plan, 
’cordin’ as he first figgered,” Zenas said after making 
certain that neither the would-be captor, nor the hoped- 
for prisoner, was in the vicinity. “I’m tellin’ you, 
lads, that we’ve got to hunt for Captain Tobi, an’ it 
wouldn’t surprise me into any very serious fit, if he 
was needin’ us ’bout this time.” 

At that instant they were startled by hearing the 
watch aboard the Nera cry sharply: 

“Ahoy ! What are you doing here ?” 

Paul clutched Ned by the arm as he whispered tri- 
umphantly : 

“ That’s Captain Tobi coming with John Ed,” and 
an instant later, while they waited for a reply to the 
watchman’s hail, he added, “But where did he get 
a boat? Every craft that belongs to the island was 
in the harbor when we came ashore.” 

Then the watchman shouted again, and this time 
it was possible to hear the sound of his hurried foot- 
steps on the deck: 

“Ahoy there! Sheer off! Tell me who you are.” 

“What’s goin’ on down there?” Zenas said half to 
himself. “Somethin’ is wrong,” and he started at 
full speed for the harbor, arriving there just in time 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


97 

to see a boat, in which were three or four men, pulling 
seaward. 

Day was just breaking, rendering it possible for 
the boys to see objects indistinctly, and therefore while 
there could be no question but that the dark mass 
which showed on the waters between the two points 
was a boat containing at least three persons, they were 
unable to determine anything beyond this bare fact. 

‘Ts it Captain Tobi?’’ Paul asked eagerly, clutch- 
ing Zenas’s arm to hold his attention. 

‘Tt can’t be him, else why would he run away when 
the watchman hailed ?” and on the instant Zenas raised 
his voice as he shouted : 

“It is Bingham! Ahoy on the Nera! Bingham 
is givin’ us the slip !” 

“Why do you yell to them when they can’t lend a 
hand ?” Paul cried excitedly. “What’s the matter 
with the Hampton boat ?” 

“The very thing, lad! Quick! Don’t lose a min- 
ute now, an’ we’ll catch ’em!” Zenas cried, as he ran 
swiftly toward the dory, shoving her across the sands 
unaided, the excitement of the moment lending a ficti- 
tious strength to his arms, and before the dark blur 
in the distance, which they knew to be a boat, had 
disappeared around the northern point, the three were 
working in hot haste to gain the Hampton boat, Mas- 
ter Cushing and Paul rowing, while Ned used the 
spare oar as a paddle. 

Zenas did not speak during the two or three minutes 
which passed while they were making their way to the 
power boat; but bent his back to the oars, straining 


98 


THE AEROPLANE 


every muscle as if believing that by wasting a single 
second those who were evidently in flight might suc- 
ceed in making their escape. 

Never did Paul realize so keenly the truth of the 
old adage that ‘Taste makes waste.’’ It seemed as if 
everything he attempted to do was bungled. He who 
prided himself on being an expert oarsman, was so 
clumsy as to “catch a crab,” with the result that he 
was thrown back into the bottom of the boat, interfer- 
ing with Zenas, and nearly tumbling Ned overboard. 
Having recovered himself in silence, for no one spoke 
during the mishap, so overpowering was the excite- 
ment of the moment, he failed to keep stroke, or 
Master Cushing was clumsy in getting into swing, 
whichever it may be, and twenty or thirty seconds 
were spent before the dory was sent ahead once more 
as she should have been under the impulse of five 
oars. 

Then, on coming alongside the boat, it appeared to 
Paul as if not only he, but his companions, scrambled 
over the rail in a snail-like manner, and Zenas and 
Ned were seemingly a very long time hauling in the 
short scope of cable, while he fumbled with the crank, 
missing his hold two or three times, until an exclama- 
tion of anger and impatience from his lips caused 
Master Cushing to say : 

“Quiet down there a bit, lad. You’re too excited 
to know just what’s what, an’ there’s no need of our 
rushin’ our heads off. Those fellows yonder will find 
no harbor this side of Seaview, an’ we’ll catch ’em 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


99 

within a mile of the cove. Take it fair an’ easy, an’ 
we’ll make better speed.” 

These words served to quiet Paul in a certain de- 
gree, and gave him opportunity to gain better control 
of himself until he realized that they could not have 
wasted very many seconds, although it had seemed 
to him an almost interminable time before they were 
ready to get under way. 

Then the throbbing of the motor came like music 
to his ears. He saw Zenas at the wheel, with Ned 
amidships on the alert to do whatsoever might be re- 
quired of him, and the chase had begun. 

“Your blessed Captain Tobi let Bingham slip through 
his fingers, an’ now we’ll show that fat, crazy old 
sailor how to lay the smugglin’ villain by the heels!” 
Zenas said triumphantly. “We don’t need to run 
half a mile before coming alongside of their boat, 
no matter how hard they pull, an’ I’m allowin’ that 
it wouldn’t be a bad idee if we looked about for 
somethin’ with which to fight, for I’m allowin’ they 
won’t give in without a bit of a struggle.” 

Ned considered this as a command intended for 
him, and began looking about for the most effective 
weapons that could be had where were none of a 
deadly nature, when the Hampton boat rounded the 
northerly point and an exclamation of bewilderment 
burst from Zenas’s lips, followed by the words : 

“Fm blessed if they haven’t disappeared!” 

It was as he said. The strangers had disappeared 
from view. No sign of any craft could be seen, and 


lOO 


THE AEROPLANE 


now the new day was coming on so swiftly that any- 
thing half the size of a dory must have shown up dis- 
tinctly. 

It was Paul who first had a clear understanding of 
the situation, and he shouted hoarsely: 

“They’ve gone ashore ! They’ve gone ashore ! 
It don’t seem possible Bingham would dare do such 
a thing, and yet he has done it! What are you 
doing?” he added as Zenas swung the helm hard down, 
bringing the Hampton boat around in a short circle. 

“We’ll run back off the mouth of the harbor to let 
them aboard the Nera know that Bingham is on the 
island, an’ then skin down to get his boat so’s he can’t 
give us the slip.” 

Ten seconds later Zenas was crying at the full 
strength of his lungs, as he brought the little craft 
around once more in a sharp turn on her former course : 

“Ahoy on the Nera! Bingham has landed just 
above the northerly point. Turn out everybody ! We 
are goin’ to get his boat, so’s there’ll be no chance of 
his sneakin’ off!” 


CHAPTER VI 

CAPTAIN TOBl’s PLIGHT 

The occupants of the Hampton boat had no doubt 
but that a battle was near at hand, and Ned had done 
his best toward arming himself and his comrades for 
the fray. 

Two wrenches and a boat-hook made up the list of 
available weapons, which would indeed be ineffective 
in case those who sought to work mischief on Barren 
Island were prepared for the encounter, as it was 
reasonable to suppose they were. 

“There are only three of ’em anyhow,” Zenas said 
grimly as he stood at the wheel striving to determine 
at what point the intruders had made a landing, “an’ 
it won’t be any imitation of a row when we come 
together, for whether John Ed was in that boat or 
not, those who came with him will put up considerable 
of a fight rather than allow themselves to be made 
prisoners. It’s up to us, lads, to finish the job 
Capt’in Tobi failed at, no matter how hard the tussle 
may be.” 

Just at that moment it seemed to Paul as if he could, 
single-handed, cope with almost any number of such 
men as the old smuggler had brought with him, so 
great was the anger in his heart that this man but 
lately released from prison should set at defiance the 
owners of the island. 

“I don’t claim to be any prize fighter,” he said 
grimly, swinging the wrench to and fro as if striking at 

lOI 


102 


THE AEROPLANE 


an enemy; 'Tut Lll agree to answer for one of them, 
unless they are armed with revolvers.” 

"An' even though they have come outfitted in such 
a way, Pm doubtin’ if they’d dare to use ’em,” Zenas 
added in a business-like tone. "It’s one thing to stand 
up in a fist fight, even when men are trespassin’, but a 
mighty serious matter to use deadly weapons. Any- 
how I’ll give ’em a chance to shoot at me if they want 
to take the risk.” 

Then Master Cushing swung the Hampton boat 
close inshore, as near the rocky coast as he dared 
put her, while Paul shut the motor down to half- 
speed that they might have ample opportunity to 
scrutinize every possible landing-place. 

By this time the new day had so nearly come that 
the boys could distinguish surrounding objects almost 
as clearly as if the sun was shining, and Ned and Paul 
were literally quivering with excitement as they passed 
slowly along the shore without finding that for which 
they sought. 

Not until the Hampton boat had covered more than 
half the distance from the northern point of the harbor 
to the outermost extremity of Swallow-tailed Cove, 
did Zenas begin to realize the possibility that matters 
might not shape themselves exactly as he had believed 
would be the case, and he cried in a tone of perplexity 
as he swung the little craft around to return over the 
same course: 

"There’s no sense in our runnin’ any further to 
the nor’ard, ’cause those fellows couldn’t have got so 
far as this from the time of roundin’ the point until 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


103 


we were where a full view might be had of the coast. 
It must be they went ashore immediately after cornin’ 
out of the cove, an’ we were so blind as not to see 
their craft.” 

The Hampton boat was skirting along just outside 
where the waves broke into foam against the rocks, 
and with speed reduced until she was moving no 
faster than a man could walk, her crew searching 
eagerly with their eyes every tiny opening that might 
shelter a dory. 

‘T hope I may never see the back of my head if 
that ain’t the oddest piece of business that ever come 
my way!” Zenas exclaimed when they were arrived 
again at the northerly point of the harbor without 
having found that for which they sought, and he 
turned to face Paul in what was very like bewilder- 
ment. ‘^Do you reckon, lad, it was possible we 
dreamed of seein’ a boat with three men in it?” 

‘‘Of course we didn’t,” was the emphatic reply. “I 
was as wide awake as at this minute, and couldn’t 
have been mistaken.” 

“Then where is she?” 

“They must have hauled her up on shore,” Ned 
suggested, and Zenas replied with the air of one who 
is confident that he speaks truly : 

“They didn’t have time to do that. A fourteen- 
foot dory ain’t any toy to be tossed ’round like an 
egg-shell, an’ it would take three men quite a spell 
to work her through the surf an’ over the rocks. I’m 
beginnin’ — ” 

“Ahoy on the Hampton I Ahoy on the Hampton !” 


104 


THE AEROPLANE 


came from the harbor, and looking up quickly the boys 
saw the owners of Barren Island pulling in the Nera^s 
tender from the yacht toward the northern point. 

It was Mr. Simpson who had hailed, and Paul 
shouted : 

“Three men have landed somewhere near this point, 
and although we have run nearly to Swallow-tailed 
Cove and back, nothing can be seen of their craft.” 

“Are you certain you really saw three men?” Mr. 
Simpson asked, and Zenas muttered so that none save 
his companions might hear the words : 

“That’s the way we’ll get it from now out; every 
blessed one of ’em will swear it was only a dream.” 

“There can be no question, sir,” Paul replied. “All 
of us saw them as they left tht Nera after the watch- 
man hailed. Ask him about it.” 

“He tells the same story you do — that he made 
out a dory in which were three men, close under the 
Nera's stern,” Mr. Simpson replied, and Zenas cried 
triumphantly : 

“Then surely you can’t accuse us of dreamin’ when 
we claim to have seen the same thing.” 

“Yet you say you have been along the shore, and 
cannot find the boat?” Mr. Simpson asked, as if such 
fact was sufficient proof that the watchman, the two 
boys, and Zenas, were all mistaken, or had been dream- 
ing. 

“That is the fact, sir, and yet they pulled out of 
this harbor, with us not four minutes behind ‘them. 
Even though they had been using three pairs of oars 
it would have been impossible to have got half a mile 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


105 

away before we should have come alongside, for our 
craft was put at her best speed.” 

‘‘Where's Captain Tobi?” Mr. Simpson asked after 
a brief pause, and Zenas replied contemptuously: 

“I ain’t worryin’ my head about that crazy old sailor. 
Most like he’s down to the southern point, believin’ 
he’s cuttin’ ice to beat the band.” 

Then, as if he had finished the matter with his em- 
ployer, Zenas wheeled about once more to face Paul, 
as he said sharply: 

“We three know that John Ed’s gang are on the 
island somewhere near about, an’ if we land now they 
won’t have time to launch their boat before it’ll be 
possible to rout them out, so send the Hampton boat 
ahead, lad, an’ let us strike down through the bushes. 
If Mr. Sawtelle can satisfy himself with believin’ all 
of us, an’ the watchman, have been dreamin’, why 
let him do it, an’ while he’s gettin’ what satisfaction 
he can out of such a game we’ll nab John Ed.” 

The Hampton boat dashed into the little harbor, 
throwing the water in tiny jets before her bow, and 
almost as soon as Paul had shut off the power, the 
anchor was dropped. Then Zenas pulled the tender 
alongside, working as if every minute was precious, and 
indeed it was if they counted on overtaking the would- 
be mischief-makers before they had time to launch 
their dory again. 

Even while they were sending the small boat shore- 
ward at the best possible speed, Paul noted the singu- 
lar fact that Captain Tobi, Daniel Downs and his 
sons were not to be seen. 


io6 THE AEROPLANE 

The engineer and his assistant were on the deck 
of the Neva, unable to go ashore because the owners 
of the island had taken the yacht’s tender, and coming 
hurriedly from the *Totel” was Mrs. Downs, the fact 
of her having heard the alarm being sufficient proof 
that the old sailor and those whom he had elected 
to aid him in capturing John Ed, were too far away to 
have been warned by the outcries. 

“Where can Captain Tobi be?” Paul muttered, 
hardly conscious that he spoke the words aloud, and 
Zenas replied impatiently : 

“A little thing like that ain’t fussin’ me, for we’ll 
finish this ’ere job without any help from that old 
crazy-headed capt’in.” 

As he ceased speaking the bow of the dory grated 
on the sand, and without stopping to moor the craft 
Master Cushing leaped on shore, running at full speed 
northward as he shouted for his companions to follow 
him. 

The three went swiftly along the coast, making their 
way with no little difficulty among the stunted 
bushes as they followed the shore-line just within the 
screen of foliage, and no halt was made until they 
were arrived at that point where the ledge ran inland, 
where all vestige of shrubbery came to an abrupt end. 

“Well, ril be jiggered!” Zenas exclaimed as he 
halted to rub his nose reflectively. “At this rate it 
won’t take such a dreadful while for me to get the 
idee that Sawtelle was right about our dreamin’. 
Those villains couldn’t have carried that heavy dory 
very far inland, an’ even if they had, she’s so big 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


107 

that we ought’er been able to see where she was 
along, or forced through the bushes/^ 

Then he wheeled about, after one searching glance 
seaward to make certain the intruders had not already 
taken to the water again, and directed his course to- 
ward the harbor, this time twenty or thirty feet fur- 
ther inland. 

The three arrived once more on the shore of the 
cove without having seen any token of that which 
they were so eager to find. The owners of the island 
were standing on the northern point, from which place 
could be had a fairly good view as far across the island 
as the ruins of Mr. Downs's house, as well as over 
the waters to the westward, and Zenas cried breath- 
lessly : 

‘'Have you seen anybody, sir?" 

Mr. Simpson shook his head, as he replied: 

“If you haven’t found a boat, then it is certain 
there was some mistake made, or, possibly, instead 
of pulling around to the northward, they went in a 
southerly direction after leaving here." 

“I’ll swear they rounded the northern point," Zenas 
said slowly, and as if striving to persuade himself 
that he might possibly have made a mistake. “It was 
light enough for me to see them fairly well, although 
of course I couldn’t make out whether John Ed was 
one of the gang or not. Do you " 

“If you haven’t found their boat either while run- 
ning along the shore in the Hampton, or going through 
the bushes, then it’s certain there has been a mistake 
somewhere,” Mr, Sawtelle said decidedly. “It is folly 


io8 


THE AEROPLANE 


to think for a moment that three men and a dory 
could be hidden so completely in this scrub growth 
that they couldn’t be found while going through it 
twice. Even suppose they had sufficient time, and 
were able to drag their craft entirely across the island, 
you should have seen some signs of where they 
passed.” 

''Aye, sir. I’m obliged to say that’s the truth, an’ yet 
it’s impossible to persuade myself that they went other 
than around the northern point,” Zenas replied ear- 
nestly, but there was the slightest inflection of his voice 
which told of doubt, since he had seemingly proven 
to himself that the men must have fled in some other 
direction. 

Then it was that Mr. Sawtelle hailed the Nera, ask- 
ing who was on watch at daybreak, and the engineer’s 
assistant stepped forward quickly as he said : 

"I was, sir, and had been talking with Zenas Cush- 
ing and the two lads when I saw a dory, with three 
men in her, just under the stern of the yacht. I can’t 
say where they came from; but there they were, and 
when I hailed, the craft was put about suddenly, while 
her crew pulled for the mouth of the harbor.” 

"Did you see which way they went from there?” 

"That I didn’t, sir. I was watching Zenas and the 
boys get the Hampton boat under way. I had an 
idea, from where the craft was when I saw her last, 
that she was making around the northerly point; but 
of that I couldn’t be certain.” 

"You are willing to admit, Zenas, that it is im- 
possible for three men to hide themselves and a dory 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


109 

in the bushes without your having found them?” Mr. 
Sawtelle asked, and Master Cushing replied, as if un- 
willing to admit such a fact : 

'T can’t rightly say anythin’ else, sir; but yet it’s 
mighty hard to figger how all three of us could have 
made such a mistake.” 

^^As I look at the matter, believing that Zenas and 
the boys would have seen some trace of the intruders 
if they had really landed above here, our course now 
should be toward the south,” Mr. Simpson said 
thoughtfully. *Tt might well chance that while the 
Hampton boat was being gotten under way, the fel- 
lows, in order to bewilder their pursuers, made as if 
to go northward, and then suddenly pulled about in 
the opposite direction. In such case they worked 
skillfully, for while the Hampton boat ran up the 
coast there was time for them to pull down beyond 
the southern point, and the probabilities are they’re 
heading for the schooner which we saw hove to last 
night.” 

'T only wish that may be so, though I can’t under- 
stand how it could have been brought about,” Zenas 
cried vehemently, as he ran swiftly toward the dory, 
beckoning for the two lads to follow him, and Mr. 
Sawtelle asked sharply: 

‘'Now what are you about?” 

‘T am countin’ to take a cruise in the Hampton 
down to the south’ard, an’ if so be you’ve figgered 
rightly, I’ll come up with the scoundrels before they 
get very far away, even though we have wasted so 
much time.” 


no 


THE AEROPLANE 


''But suppose you laid that craft alongside their 
dory, what then?” Mr. Sawtelle asked sharply. "Do 
you fancy it would be possible, without weapons, to 
bring those men back?” 

"They’ll come back, or I’ll stay with ’em,” Zenas 
cried angrily, as he laid his shoulder against the bow 
of the dory to launch her, whereupon Mr. Simpson 
said peremptorily: 

"You are to stay on the island, Zenas. I am not 
so eager to capture those men as to let you take the 
chances of an encounter with desperate villains. Pull 
straight across the harbor, and we will follow the 
coast down. After gaining the bluffs at the south- 
erly end it will be possible to see the dory, if she’s 
running down to where the schooner was seen last 
night.” 

Zenas half-turned with a gesture of defiance, as 
if it was in his mind to declare that he would not 
obey orders even though his employer had spoken so 
peremptorily, and Ned whispered warningly: 

"Be careful; there is no reason why you should 
stir up a row with Mr. Simpson just because you want 
to get hold of John Ed. Besides, it is true, when 
you come to think of it, that we three would stand 
little chance of bringing John Ed’s gang back to the 
island, even if we should put the Hampton boat along- 
side the dory.” 

"All the same, it’s dead wrong to give in just now,” 
Zenas muttered. "If Paul’s father thinks three of 
us can’t do the job, why don’t he an’ Mr. Sawtelle 
come aboard, an’ let us run that smuggler down, if 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


III 


so be he can be found, before more of our time has 
been wasted/' 

'Tt is for Mr. Simpson and Mr. Sawtelle to say 
what shall be done," Ned continued in a low tone as 
he aided Zenas in launching the dory. 

‘T ain’t certain of that, if somebody else knows 
better than they what should be done," Master Cush- 
ing grumbled, and then, the dory being water-borne, 
he leaped on board, followed by the two boys. 

The owners of the island pulled across the harbor 
in the Nera's tender, and a few moments later all the 
party were walking rapidly along the coast, keeping 
a sharp lookout to seaward, but seeing nothing of 
the craft which they sought. 

About midway from the harbor to the southerly 
point of the island was a small clump of scrub oaks, the 
tops of which had been bowed by the winds until they 
presented a most grotesque appearance. Because it 
was possible that the enemy might have landed after 
rounding the point, doubling back on their course, 
and seeking a hiding-place near the water, Zenas led 
the way into this odd grove, being a dozen paces or 
more in advance of his companions, so eager was he 
to settle the question as to whether he had been mis- 
taken in believing the strangers had gone in the oppo- 
site direction. 

Paul and Ned were behind him, while bringing up 
the rear were the owners of the island, and the two 
lads were startled almost into an exclamation of fear, 
when Zenas uttered a cry which might have been one 
of warning, or surprise, or of alarm. 


112 


THE AEROPLANE 


"‘What have you found?” Mr. Simpson shouted as 
he quickened his pace, while Ned and Paul ran at 
full speed to where Master Cushing was standing like 
a statue, gazing with staring eyes at some object in 
front of him. 

When the boys were where they could make out 
that which had caused Zenas to come to such a sudden 
stop, they also exclaimed in surprise or fear, causing 
the owners of the island to come forward at a swift 
pace until it was possible for them to see, bound se- 
curely, each to one of the stunted oaks, Captain Tobi, 
Daniel Downs, Ernest and Sam. 

In addition to being fettered in such a manner that 
it was impossible for the prisoners to move hand or 
foot, the four were gagged by having what appeared 
to be pieces of a woolen shirt stuffed into their mouths 
until their jaws were spread wide apart, the gags 
being held in place by strips of the same material. 

"Tn the name of goodness what has happened to 
you, Capt’in Tobi?” Zenas cried when he had par- 
tially recovered from the bewilderment which came 
upon him with a view of this strange scene. “How 
did you get into such a plight as this?” he continued, 
heeding not the fact that the unfortunate captain was 
unable to make reply. 

“I fancy these gentlemen have met with Bingham 
and his friends,” Mr. Sawtelle said, striving in vain 
to repress a smile, and there was in Captain Tobi’s 
eyes so much of anger and a desire to give words to 
the rage which beset him, that even though they knew 
full well he must be suffering severely, Paul and Ned 



"THESE GENTLEMEN HAVE MET WITH BINGHAM AND HIS FRIENDS.” 





» 



* . * 


I 


t 



AT SILVER FOX FARM 


113 

were forced to turn away in order to hide their mirth. 

*T don’t reckon there’s any need of their explainin’ 
matters,” Zenas said grimly as he stood with his hands 
on his hips surveying the' helpless men. ^^Captain 
Tobi didn’t want anyone to butt in for fear the whole 
thing would be muddled, so he took charge of the 
island, and this is as far as he’s got.” 

The old sailor looked imploringly from one to the 
other, striving in vain to make some gesture which 
should serve as a prayer that he be released from his 
painful position, and Mr. Simpson hurriedly began to 
cut the bonds which bound him to the stunted oak, 
Mr. Sawtelle and the two boys working in the same 
manner over the other prisoners, while Master Cush- 
ing stood at a distance as if thoroughly enjoying the 
scene. 

Immediately the gag was removed from his mouth. 
Captain Tobi strove to utter those words of rage which 
could have been read in his eyes a few seconds be- 
fore, but his jaws were so stiff and his tongue so 
nearly paralyzed, that it was impossible for him to 
do more than give vent to inarticulate sounds, causing 
Zenas to say jeeringly: 

‘That’s right. Captain ! Let ’em out ! I reckon 
your ideas have kind’er got choked up against the 
gag, an’ the old words must tumble out before you 
can do real justice to the subject in a way that we’ll 
understand.” 

“For two cents I’d twist your neck!” Captain Tobi 
roared in a fury, suddenly finding control of his 
tongue, and Zenas cried laughingly: 


THE AEROPLANE 


114 

‘T’m reckonin’ you’d do it about the same as when 
you laid John Ed by the heels. I thought you was 
goin’ to have him trussed up ready to be delivered by 
sunrise, wherever the boss wanted him?” 

^'Hold your tongue, Zenas,” Mr. Simpson said 
sharply. “Captain Tobi has had good cause for anger, 
and there is no reason why you should rough into 
him. If I remember rightly, it’s less than a year since 
Bingham caught you and Paul foul, and if the cap- 
tain had attempted to make sport immediately after 
you were rescued from the dory. I’m inclined to be- 
lieve that you wouldn’t have held your temper in any 
better control than he’s doing.” 

This remark reduced Zenas to silence. He had 
forgotten, for the moment, that night when Bingham 
had turned the tables so completely on him that he 
and Paul were set adrift in a boat without rudder 
or oars, and being thus reminded that his own plans 
of capturing the old smuggler had gone awry, an ex- 
pression very much like that of shame overspread his 
face. 

Neither Mr. Downs nor his two sons made any 
attempt to speak after their mouths were freed from 
the gags, and, in fact, there was little opportunity to 
do so, when Mr. Simpson had silenced Zenas, for the 
old captain burst into a flood of invectives against 
those who had trussed him up in so ignominious a 
fashion, until it would have been absolutely impossible 
for any other to have been heard. 

Captain Tobi threatened the direst vengeance against 
the man who had rnade him a prisoner, striding to and 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


115 

fro with clenched fists as if it were possible for him 
to carry into execution on the instant all his threats, 
and entirely losing sight of the fact that he had failed 
signally to do that which he had previously treated 
as a simple matter, if he might be entrusted with the 
care of the island for one night. 

He stammered and raved alternately, shaking his 
clenched fists to seaward as if believing in that direc- 
tion John Ed would be found, and kicking the bundles 
of rags which had served as gags to and fro, as though 
by such act he was inflicting punishment upon the 
enemy. 

It was fully five minutes before the old sailor had 
calmed down sufficiently to make any reply to the 
questions which the owners of the island were eager 
to ask, and during all this time never a word of ex- 
planation as to how his discomfiture had been brought 
about. 

Despairing of getting information from Captain 
Tobi, Mr. Simpson turned to Daniel Downs when the 
old sailor had so nearly checked his torrent of wrath 
that it was possible to make one's self heard, and 
said in a tone of command: 

‘^Now, then, Daniel, tell me how this thing hap- 
pened? You should be in condition to explain it, 
and we can’t afford to wait until the captain has 
come to the end of vain threatenings.” 

‘'It ain’t much that I can tell, sir,” Mr. Downs said 
with a gesture of helplessness. “To speak the truth, 
I don’t rightly understand how it all came about. 
Captain Tobi, he allowed that John Ed would land 


ii6 


THE AEROPLANE 


down on the southerly point, nigh to where he went 

ashore on the night he got the best of Zenas ” 

course I allowed it,’^ the old sailor roared. 
‘Tt didn’t stand to reason he’d dare come inter the 
harbor where all hands of us were on watch, an’ he 
surely wouldn’t have gone to Swallow-tailed Cove, so 
here was the only spot to look for him.” 

^‘Never mind. Captain Tobi, about trying to prove 
that you took the proper course. Let Daniel tell the 
story if he can, for we are wasting time which had 
better be employed in chasing Bingham, if so be he is 
yet anywhere near the island.” 

‘‘Near here?” the captain shrieked. “The villain 
left us at midnight, tied up so we couldn’t wink, an’ 
he’s had time to pull to Seaview, if he wanted to get 
there instead of boardin’ his schooner.” 

“He was in the harbor just at daybreak, so we be- 
lieve,” Mr. Simpson said, and turning to the farmer 
he added, “Now, Daniel, go on with the story.” 

“It ain’t in any ways a story, sir. We come down 
here under command of Captain Tobi, the boys an’ 
me, an’ he said as how we should snoop along the 
shore, keepin’ watch for John Ed’s boat; but circlin’ 
all around the p’int. I was right here ; the boys were 
on the other side, an’ the capt’in, I reckon, was down 
near the rocks — leastways that’s where I had an idee 
he was goin’.” 

“An’ that’s where I did go,” the old sailor cried 
furiously. “It was my station, of course, an’ I counted 
on nabbin’ the first man that stepped out of the boat, 
thinkin’ to take ’em by surprise. As it was ” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


117 

'‘Let Daniel tell the story/’ Mr. Simpson said 
sternly, and the farmer continued meekly, as if fearing 
he might say something which would offend the cap- 
tain : 

"It must have been that John Ed an’ his gang 
landed before we got down here, ’cause it seemed as 
if I hadn’t any more’n settled myself to watch, when 
somethin’ hit me a clip over the head, knockin’ the 
senses clean out’er me. When next I knew anythin’ 
at all, I was tied to that ’ere tree with my mouth full 
of rags, same’s you found me.” 

Mr. Downs gave vent to a long-drawn sigH as he 
concluded his short story, and seated himself in an 
attitude of deepest dejection upon, as Paul afterward 
said laughingly, the sharpest rock that could have 
been found on Barren Island. 

"What have you got to say about it, Sam?” Mr. 
Sawtelle asked of Master Downs, and the latter re- 
plied gruffly : 

"They didn’t take the trouble to knock me in the 
head, ’cause two of ’em come up behind, an’ the first 
I knew one of ’em had a grip ’round my neck that 
precious near took the life out of me. They didn’t 
spend any time talkin’; but tied me up as you saw, 
an’ one villain dragged me over here while the other 
went off somewhere else, I s’pose to hunt for the 
capt’in.” 

Ernest told a similar story; his capture had been 
effected in almost the same way, and when he had 
ceased speaking Zenas cried, as if it gave him the 
greatest pleasure to make such a remark: 


ii8 


THE AEROPLANE 


'‘Now, I reckon Captain Tobi’s cooled off enough, 
so’s he can tell his part of the yarn. It must have 
been that two or three of the men tackled him^ ’cause 
he’s such a dreadful fighter that one wouldn’t have 
stood any chance.” 

“Never you mind, Zenas Cushing, what kind of a 
fighter I am, an’ I want you to be mighty careful of 
your tongue, or you’ll find out in a way that won’t 
please you,” the old sailor roared. “I’m bound to 
admit that they got the best of me as you’ve seen ; but 
don’t run away with the idee that I’m goin’ to tell 
any hard-luck story, ’cause I ain’t. If I’d carried out 
my plan of catchin’ John Ed, he’d have been trussed 
up in good shape; but the trouble was that the villain 
got ashore before I knew it, an’ was here lay in’ for 
us when we come down on the p’int.” 

“Then you must admit that you were in the fault,” 
Mr. Simpson said laughingly, “for it was agreed rea- 
sonably early in the afternoon that you should have 
full command of everything on the island, and if 
the smuggler came ashore secretly, you were neglectful 
of your duty.” 

“I had no reason to believe John Ed would have 
the nerve to land here in broad daylight,” Captain 
Tobi began, and Mr. Simpson interrupted him by 
saying : 

“You know what that man has done, better, perhaps, 
than any of us, and it would seem to me to have been 
no more than an act of common prudence, for you or 
your assistants to have kept strict watch from the 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


119 

time you took upon yourself the duty of guarding us 
against him/’ 

Captain Tobi half-turned as if to make some intem- 
perate reply, and then, perhaps, realizing how poor 
words were at such a time, he shut his mouth tightly, 
walking swiftly away in the direction of the harbor 
without waiting to learn what it might be possible for 
the owners of the island to tell him. 

“When you boil it all down it amounts to only 
one thing: that Capt’in Tobi wasn’t more’n a quarter 
part so smart as he allowed,” Zenas said, and then 
he hurried away in the opposite direction to that taken 
by the old sailor, making no halt until he was come to 
the blulY, where he stood gazing seaward a moment 
or two, after which he retraced his steps, saying as 
he came back to the little group that awaited him, 
understanding what had been his purpose : 

“I can just make out a fore-an’-after still hove to 
where we saw her yesterday, an’ pretty nigh along- 
side is what I count to be John Ed’s dory. He’s 
given us the slip, an’ that’s a fact. Now what puz- 
zles me is, how he got down to this end of the island, 
when I’m as sure as a man can be that he started the 
other way.” 

“There’s no good reason why we should spend our 
time speculating upon anything of that kind,” Mr. 
Sawtelle said as if the whole incident had caused 
him amusement rather than anger. “It is clear that 
your smuggler has gone scot free, after having given 
Captain Tobi and the Downs family such a lesson as 


120 


THE AEROPLANE 


they are not likely to forget for many a day. Inas- 
much as we have not yet had breakfast, and there is 
no hope of catching the enemy, I propose that we 
get back to the yacht. Perhaps Mr. Downs and his 
sons will be well pleased at meeting Mrs. Downs 
again.’' 

Then the owner of the Neva, linking his arm in 
that of Mr. Simpson to make certain his partner 
would accompany him, set off toward the harbor, 
Zenas and the boys following him, while Mr. Downs 
and his sons made a wide circle to the eastward, as 
if ashamed to be seen by those aboard the yacht while 
on their way to the ‘‘hotel.” 

Master Cushing was in high glee. He had forgot- 
ten for the moment how completely Mr. Bingham 
had thwarted their attempts to make him prisoner, 
and was thinking only of Captain Tobi’s discomfiture. 

“Pm allowin’ that crazy-headed sailor will go aboard 
his sloop about as quick as he knows how, an’ it’ll 
surprise me a good deal if he don’t set sail for Sea- 
view before we come in sight of the cove,” Zenas said 
as he walked by the side of Paul; but this prediction 
was not to be verified, for when they were come to 
the shore of the harbor the sloop still remained at 
anchor, while on the Neva's deck could be seen Cap- 
tain Tobi and the engineer, leaning over the stern as 
if something of serious moment had occurred. 

“Does it strike you that the yacht is deeper in the 
water than she was last night?” Paul asked, coming 
to a sudden stop, and Zenas forced him on swiftly 
as he cried : 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


I2I 


“She has settled! The watchman didn’t see John 
Ed quickly enough this mornin’, an’ I’m allowin’ some- 
thin’ in the way of mischief was done before that 
scoundrel left the harbor!” 


CHAPTER VII 

MALICIOUS MISCHIEF 

Zenas was SO excited that it seemed impossible for 
him to wait until after boarding the yacht in order 
to learn what had gone wrong with her, for by 
the time he and the two lads arrived at the shore 
opposite the Neva's anchorage, it could plainly be seen 
that she was not in her usual condition. 

'‘What’s the matter?” Master Cushing shouted at 
the full strength of his lungs; but Captain Tobi gave 
no more heed to the question than he would have done 
to the buzzing of a bee, and the engineer took it upon 
himself to impart the desired information. 

“Those scoundrels who were seen under the stern 
this morning have bored a hole through the yacht’s 
hull, thinking we on board were so dumb that she’d 
sink at her moorings before any of us understood 
what had been done.” 

“Is she sinking now?” Paul asked in alarm, and 
the engineer replied with a laugh which had in it more 
of anger than of mirth: 

“Not to any great extent, else I’m allowing that 
we’d get a wigging from the owner. If the villains 
had wanted to do us a real injury, and trust to the 
chances of our not discovering it until it was too late, 
they should have wrapped a bit of chain around the 
propeller shaft. But instead of that they have done 
mischief that can readily be repaired by the aid of a 
pine plug and a spell at pumping.” 

122 


THE AEROPLANE 


123 


‘^Bored a hole in the hull of the yacht, eh?’' Ned 
repeated as if simply giving words to his thoughts. 
‘‘That’s even worse than trying to kill the foxes, for 
then something might have been realized in the way 
of money for the hides, whereas this is a labor ex- 
pended simply for the purpose of injuring us.” 

“I didn’t give John Ed credit for bein’ sich a fool,” 
Zenas muttered as he set about launching the dory. 
“It must have been quite a bit of work to put a hole 
through them ’ere planks, an’ he should have known 
that the crew of the Neva were sailors enough to stop 
such a leak in a twinklin’.” 

Then he and the boys pulled out to the yacht, 
where Captain Tobi stood leaning outboard over the 
stern rail, and Paul asked innocently, not under- 
standing why the old sailor should be looking down 
into the water so intently if the hole had been plugged : 

“Are you watching to see if she sinks any deeper. 
Captain Tobi?” 

“What do you take me for? A bloomin’ idjut?” 
the old man roared in a rage. “How’s she goin’ to 
settle any if the hole is plugged?” 

“I didn’t suppose she could; but was curious to 
know what you were looking at.” 

“It’s got so a man can’t have a chance to think 
on this bloomin’ island without a lot of thick-heads 
have got to come up an’ ask him what’s the trouble,” 
and Captain Tobi went forward surlily, much to the 
amusement of the engineer, who asked Zenas in a 
whisper what had occurred to so disturb the old 
sailor’s temper. 


124 


THE AEROPLANE 


It pleased Master Cushing right well to give a de- 
tailed account of what had been done by John Ed 
Bingham and his friends to those who would have 
made them prisoners, and while he and the engineer 
were laughing over the matter, the owners of Barren 
Island came from the deck-house, Mr. Sawtelle saying 
in a business-like tone, as if he saw nothing out of 
the ordinary course of events in this attempted sinking 
of the yacht: 

‘‘You three had better get your breakfast, and then 
join us at the work-tent. I am not disposed to let 
whatever has been done in the way of mischief inter- 
fere with our task, and therefore you young gentlemen 
will kindly waste no more time than may be abso- 
lutely necessary.” 

To Paul it seemed much like a reproof that the 
owner of the yacht should speak in such a manner, 
as if he, with Ned and Zenas, had really been wasting 
time. 

Not five minutes had elapsed since they came on 
board the Nera, and before then they had been doing 
all in their power to protect the interests of the owners 
of Barren Island. 

Zenas led the way below hurriedly, thus showing 
that he also fancied a reproof was intended, and the 
morning meal was eaten quickly. 

When the three came on deck again, Captain Tobi 
was in the bow of the yacht, still gazing into the water, 
which seemed to be sufficient token that he did not 
care to enter into conversation with anyone, and Zenas 
went over the rail, followed by Paul and Ned, 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


125 


When the lads arrived at the tent, Mr. Simpson 
and Mr. Sawtelle were busily engaged on the frame- 
work of the aeroplane, and the latter said curtly: 

“If there's nothing more for you young gentle- 
men to do in the way of chasing that will-o'-wisp 
Bingham, it would be well you brought ashore the 
lumber taken on board the Hampton boat at Sea- 
view." 

“I'm allowin' you two lads can attend to that job, 
an' I'll try to make myself of some service here," 
Zenas said with an attempt at cheerfulness which was 
not particularly successful. * He felt that Mr. Saw- 
telle had been unjust in much the same as accusing 
him of wasting time, and went to work with a certain 
doggedness which did not set well on one who was so 
habitually in a good humor. 

Paul and Ned hurried back toward the harbor, feel- 
ing very much as did Zenas, and had walked no more 
than an hundred paces before they were stopped by 
Mr. Downs, who was evidently waiting to speak with 
them. 

“How do them two take things?" the old farmer 
asked, motioning with his thumb toward the work- 
tent, thus giving the boys to understand that he 
referred to the owners of the island. 

“I don't know what you mean by that, sir," Paul 
replied without coming to a halt. “Mr. Sawtelle 
seems to be in a great hurry to get on with the build- 
ing of the aeroplane." 

“But what did he say 'bout the way he found Cap- 
tain Tobi an' the rest of us?" Mr. Downs persisted. 


126 


THE AEROPLANE 


trotting along by the side of the boys much as a dog 
follows his master. 

‘T haven’t heard him speak of it. After you 
went away he and father started off by themselves, 
and when we reached the Nera they came up from be- 
low, just having had breakfast. He didn’t even say 
anything in my hearing about the attempt to sink the 
yacht.” 

^‘Sink the yacht?” Mr. Downs repeated in astonish- 
ment. “What do you mean by that?” 

In the fewest possible words Paul told of Bing- 
ham’s latest mischief, and the old farmer exclaimed 
in a tone of apprehension : 

“It’s no use talkin’, boys, John Ed Bingham’s bound 
to get the best of anybody he comes up against, an’ 
the man don’t live that can stop him. He’s bearin’ a 
grudge for all of us ’cause of havin’ been sent to 
prison, an’ mark my words, before this summer comes 
to an end he’ll make your father and Mr. Sawtelle 
sorry that they went down to Beekman’s Ledge with 
the sheriff to land him in jail!” 

“Now don’t be foolish, Mr. Downs,” Ned exclaimed 
impatiently. “There’s enough of us on the island to 
prevent him from going very far with plans for re- 
^ venge.” 

“I notice there wasn’t much headway made to stop 
him from trussin’ four of us up in a mighty disa- 
greeable way.” 

“You wouldn’t have come to grief if Captain Tobi 
hadn’t been so anxious to take the matter in his own 
hands, with the understanding that no one should in- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


127 


terfere/’ Paul replied warmly. ^'We were almost the 
same as certain John Ed would come ashore here, and 
instead of letting you four set out to make him pris- 
oner simply because Captain Tobi wanted to collect 
an old debt, every one of us should have been on the 
watch. Then you wouldn’t have suffered as I fan- 
cied you did.” 

''Wa’al, say, boys,” and the old man sighed 
deeply, ^^you can’t have any idee of my feelin’s while 
I was lashed to that tree with my mouth full of rags ! 
It seemed like I was the biggest fool that ever lived 
for gettin’ inter sich a scrape, an’ twice as much of 
an id jut as John Ed. Now Captain Tobi is an old 
friend of mine; many is the mess of fried cod he’s 
had in my house, an’ many the pipe of tobacco we’ve 
smoked together, consequently it ain’t for me to say 
anythin’ very brash against what he does ; but I’m free 
to confess to you here, an’ privately, that he come 
within a hair’s breadth of makin’ a bloomin’ ass of 
himself last night — some folks would say he’d done 
the job up brown; but I ain’t goin’ to rough into him 
quite so bad as that. I’m wonderin’ if your father’s 
feelin’ pretty hot agin me, ’cause I let myself be took 
so easy.” 

"‘Of course he isn’t, Mr. Downs. I don’t fancy he’s 
feeling hard against anyone; but if he is, it can only 
be toward Captain Thompson, who had charge of 
affairs last night.” 

’Twixt you an’ me, Tobi is gettin’ to be real 
kind’er big-headed. Now I don’t plume myself on 
makin’ much of a fist at what we started in on; but 


128 


THE AEROPLANE 


I says to him long early in the afternoon, says I, 
^Tobi, we want’er make certain John Ed Bingham 
don’t sneak up on this ’ere island in the day-time, 
’cause he’s such a darin’ man that there’s no tellin’ 
what kind of a cahoot he’ll start in on.’ But Captain 
Tobi, he says lofty-like, an’ a roarin’ it out like a bull 
of Bashan, T’ll ’tend to commandin’ this ’ere expe- 
dition, Daniel Downs, an’ you stand by lively to obey 
orders; that’s all I’m askin’ of you. The idee that 
John Ed, knowin’ I’m here, would even dream of 
tryin’ to land in the day-time is folderol, to say nothin’ 
of its bein’ foolishness.’ After that what was there 
for me to do but hold my tongue? I’m givin’ you 
my solemn word, lads, that I did it until my mouth 
was stuffed so full of rags I couldn’t even yip. Where 
you boys bound?” 

By this time they had come to the shore of the 
harbor and were launching the dory, when Ned ex- 
plained what task had been set them, whereupon the 
old man said, as if it gave him decided relief to be 
busy with something in the way of work : 

'T reckon I’ll go with you an’ bear a hand, ’cause 
there don’t seem to be much of anyfliin’ ’round here 
for me to do jest now. There’s Tobi leanin’ over 
the yacht’s rail like a bear with a sore head, an’ it 
would be pretty nigh as much as my life’s worth to 
try to company-up with him. Ernest an’ Sam 
have gone to bed ; they didn’t sleep a wink last night, 
an’ so far’s that goes neither did I, ’cause how could 
it be done when I was tied up like a pig in a poke ? 
Mother, she’s ’round with the boys, takin’ on at a 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


129 

terrible rate 'cause they had such a hard time, an’ I 
don’t seem to fit in anywhere.” 

“There’s no reason why you shouldn’t come with 
us, Mr. Downs,” Paul said cheerily, striving to repress 
a smile, for the old man in his trouble was really 
comical. “I don't fancy there will be any need of 
watching out against Bingham this day, because he 
won’t be likely to show his head around here for quite 
a spell, after what he did to the yacht.” 

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Mr. Downs said 
as he waded aboard the dory and took up the oars 
to show his willingness to perform more than his due 
share of the labor. “John Ed’s slipperier than an 
eel, an’ when you make up your mind there’s no need 
of watchin’ out agin him, that’s jest the time he’ll 
make his jump. Of course it don’t stand to reason 
that he’d come right back here, knowin’ all hands of 
us must be kind of keepin’ our eyes open, an’ still 
there’s no tellin’. I’m gettin’ clean discouraged. 
You see when he was sent to prison we all allowed 
we were clear of him for quite a spell, an’ what on 
earth possessed that ’ere governor to pardon him is 
what I can’t understand.” 

It really seemed as if Mr. Downs found a certain 
relief in talking of what the old smuggler might be 
able to do, and bemoaning the fact that much time 
must be spent in guarding against it, for he continued 
in the same strain while helping take the lumber from 
the Hampton boat into the dory, and from the dory 
to the beach, until, when they were ready to carry 
the cargo to the work-tent, Ned said laughingly : 


130 


THE AEROPLANE 


“Why not come up with us, and tell Mr. Sawtelle 
that you despair of our being able to hold the island 
against Bingham?” 

“Tell Mr. Sawtelle!” the old farmer exclaimed as 
if in alarm. “Why I wouldn't any more dare let 
my tongue run where he was, same’s it’s been goin’ 
with you boys, than nothin’ at all. I can talk to 
Paul’s father now an’ then; but somehow Sawtelle 
has got a way of chokin’ a feller off quicker’n 
any other man I ever run across. He’s bound to have 
things his way, an’ he’s goin’ to let you know it. 
If he was poor somebody’d knock the head clean off 
his shoulders when he got to carryin’ on so kind’er 
high an’ mighty; but seein’s he’s rich, other folks 
are a good deal like me — feel as if it wasn’t just 
the thing to bruise the golden calf. Howsomever, 
I’m goin’ to help you carry this stuff up to the tent, 
an’ then I’ll see what mother’s doin’. In case you 
should want me for anythin’. I’ll be right in the kitchen 
until Tobi gets so it’s safe to be ’round where he is.” 

During the remainder of the forenoon the work of 
building the aeroplane was carried on rapidly, if not 
pleasantly. Zenas was still hurt in mind because of 
the manner in which Mr. Sawtelle had spoken, while 
Ned and Paul did their best to show that there was 
no intention on their part of wasting time, as the 
owner of the Neva had intimated. 

Mr. Simpson gave little heed to anything save the 
task in hand: he appeared to be in a brown study, 
and Paul believed his father was striving to devise 
some means by which Bingham could be prevented 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


131 

from working further mischief, without the necessity 
of keeping all on the island doing guard duty. 

When the laborers went to dinner on board the 
yacht, Captain Tobi’s sloop was nowhere to be seen, 
and the engineer of the Nera told Paul and Ned that 
the old sailor had got his craft under way without 
a word to any one regarding his purpose. That he 
had gone back to Seaview there was no question in 
the minds of the boys; but, later in the day, Daniel 
Downs told them confidentially that it was his belief 
Captain Tobi had started out single-handed with the 
intention of bringing back Bingham bound hand and 
foot, as token that the unpleasant incident of the 
previous night was due to his misfortune rather than 
his fault. 

Matters between the aeroplane builders were much 
improved during the afternoon. Mr. Sawtelle had 
recovered his usual good humor, and laughed and 
chatted as he worked, now and then telling a story 
of some unfortunate aeronaut who had come to grief 
in a craft of his own devising, and again picturing 
what would be done before the summer had come to 
an end, in the way of excursions through the air to 
and from Seaview, if no further. 

With this last proposition, or prediction, Zenas was 
not in sympathy, nor did he hesitate to give his opinion 
in plain words. 

‘T’m not goin’ so far as to say you can't build one 
of those 'ere things that'll stay in the air a spell, 'cause 
I'm bound to believe that what you've told us about 
others havin' done it, is true. But this I’ll hold to. 


THE AEROPLANE 


132 

that there won’t be any high air Seaview excursions 
from this ’ere island inside of the next hundred 
years.” 

‘‘Then you do not believe we can do what many 
another has done before us?” Mr. Sawtelle asked 
laughingly, and Zenas replied with a grin : 

“When you talk about what’s been done in Ger- 
many, an’ in France, an’ in England, an’ way down 
south in Florida, it’s all so far away that you can 
kind’er allow the yarn got stretched before it reached 
us. Now I ain’t a doubtin’, Mr. Sawtelle, but that 
you believe all you’ve said, yet at the same time I 
claim the right to allow that somebody has been 
stuffin’ you.” 

“And what about these photographs I’ve shown 
you? After seein’ them, can’t you believe that there 
must have been some kind of a craft in the air, at 
least, for a certain time?” 

“There’s so many things cooked up nowadays that 
I don’t take any great stock in pictures nor printed 
yarns,” Zenas replied thoughtfully. “When I see this 
’ere craft that we’re buildin’ sail from one end of the 
island to the other — an’ you can bet all you’re worth 
that I wouldn’t be in it, — then I’ll say, perhaps, in the 
course of ten or fifteen years, we’ll be able to chase 
crows, providin’ they don’t fly too high.” 

“You are a doubting Thomas, Zenas,” Mr. Sawtelle 
said with a hearty laugh, “and I’m going to make you 
this proposition, which won’t involve any outlay of 
money or strength on your part : If, before the snow 
flies, one or more of us have not sailed in this aero- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


133 


plane, providing of course that no such accident as 
fire interrupts our labor, as far as Seaview, then the 
Neva with all her equipment shall be your personal 
property.” 

''Now look here, Mr. Sawtelle, you don’t mean any- 
thin’ like that!” Zenas exclaimed as if he believed the 
gentleman had suddenly taken leave of his senses. 
"When you talk as if you knew this thing could be 
done, an’ are willin’ to put up such a valuable piece 
of property as the yacht to back your opinion, why 
it’s all out of reason. I can’t have it in my heart 
to take the Nera away from you.” 

"No, Zenas, you can’t, and for the very good reason 
that you won’t have the opportunity. It is true that 
in this model of an aeroplane I propose to depart 
somewhat from such machines as have been shown 
capable of navigating the air; but there will be time, 
during this coming season, to change my plans, if I 
find they are not practical, so far as to convert this 
model into one that has already been proven suc- 
cessful. Therefore it is that I am as positive of being 
able to do what I say, as you would be if, with the 
proper material, you set about building a dory. There 
would be no question in your mind but that such a 
craft as you could put together would swim, and I 
know beyond a peradventure that this aeroplane 
which we are assembling, will swim in the ether.” 

Mr. Sawtelle spoke so positively, with the air of 
one who knows that under certain limitations there 
can be no mistake in what he is doing, as to literally 
bewilder Master Cushing, who bent his head over the 


134 


THE AEROPLANE 


task before him in silence; but Paul fancied there was 
yet an expression of incredulity upon his face. 

When night had come Mr. Downs remained hidden 
from view, and Paul’s father asked, as he made ready 
to go aboard the yacht for supper, if anyone had seen 
the old farmer. 

Ned proposed that search be made for him in the 
kitchen of the ^'hotel,” and Paul was sent to notify 
him that his employers had some orders to give con- 
cerning the work of the night. 

Mr. Downs was prompt in replying to the sum- 
mons, saying in a half apologetic tone as he entered 
the tent : 

‘T was kind’er allowin' you’d want me before dark, 
so I hung ’round to be on hand when you give the 
word.” 

‘'Where are your sons?” Mr. Sawtelle asked. 

“Wa’al, you see, they’ve been in bed all day, owin’ 
to not gettin’ any sleep last night, an’ their mother 
would have it that they should stay there. Was you 
wanting ’em, sir?” 

“If they have slept all day, there’s no reason why 
they can’t work during a certain portion of the night. 
From now until midnight one must patrol the easterly, 
and the other the westerly side of the island. You are 
to move about and see that they keep watch against 
intruders, until perhaps nine o’clock, when I will send 
one of the men from the Nera to spell you. At twelve 
o’clock the boys may go to bed again.” 

“Are you lookin’ to see John Ed pretty soon, sir?” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


135 

Mr. Downs asked hesitatingly, and Mr. Sawtelle re- 
plied : 

‘‘No, not immediately, and yet I do not propose to 
run any risks. Strict watch must be kept during 
every hour of darkness, not only with the idea that 
he may pay us another visit, but that some other 
evil-disposed persons might come. You will see to 
it, Daniel, that the boys attend sharply to their por- 
tion of the work.’’ 

“You can count on their doin’ so, sir, an’ all the 
more after what they went through with last night. 
Twenty- four hours ago they was afraid of John Ed, 
so to speak; but didn’t have an idee he’d do ’em any 
bodily harm. Now they know what may be expected 
if he comes across ’em, and will yell like hot-heads if 
they see so much as the tip of his nose.” 

Then the owners of Barren Island led the way to 
the Nera^ and immediately after supper had been 
eaten Zenas, Paul and Ned went to bed in order not 
only to make up for the sleep lost the previous night, 
but because they knew full well that after midnight 
they would be forced to stand guard. 

It seemed to Paul as if he had hardly more than 
fallen asleep, although as a matter of fact he had 
been in Dreamland three hours or more, when he was 
aroused by the watchman on the yacht, who shouted 
apparently at the full strength of his lungs : 

“Ahoy there ! Hold on where you are till you give 
an account of yourself!” 

Paul and Zenas were on their feet by the time the 


136 


THE AEROPLANE 


last word had been spoken, and before the reply came 
both were outside their cabins hurrying on deck. 

“What’s the matter? You ain’t afraid we’ll do you 
any harm, are you?” came distinctly from the direc- 
tion of the mouth of the harbor, and then Master 
Cushing and Paul were on deck where they could 
see distinctly in the gloom the outlines of a small boat, 
from which came the chug-chug-chugging that told 
she was propelled by a motor of some kind. 

“We ain’t afraid; but don’t count on lettin’ strangers 
in here until we know their business,” the watchman 
shouted so fiercely that instantly the power was shut 
off from the little craft, and a voice cried : 

“I have come to see the man who owns that yacht, 
and can’t afford to wait many minutes.” 

“You may have to wait many hours,” the watch- 
man replied with a laugh. “I don’t allow Mr. Saw- 
telle turns out at this time of night for any Tom, 
Dick or Harry that’s in a hurry. What do you want 
of him ?” 

“I’ll explain that when he allows me to come along- 
side.” 

“I’ll tell him after he turns out for breakfast, an’ 
maybe he’ll agree to your rubbin’ the paint off this 
’ere craft, an’ maybe he won’t.” 

“But listen, man,” the voice from out the darkness 
cried imploringly. “This is a case of life or death, 
and if your owner is anywhere near like what I’ve 
been told, he’ll at least hear my story.” 

Before the watchman could make reply, Mr. Saw- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


137 

telle himself, aroused by the noise, as had been Zenas 
and the boys, came on deck, as he asked sharply : 

“What’s wanted there?” 

“I would like to speak to the owner of the yacht, 
and know he wouldn’t begrudge turning out of his 
bed if you could make him understand how important 
it is that I see him.” 

“I am the owner of this yacht, my man. What 
business have you which is so urgent?” 

“May I come alongside, sir, and tell you ?” 

“Certainly.” 

Paul could hear the noise of the motor as the boat 
was sent forward, and Zenas stood by to take the line 
which he had every reason to believe would be passed 
over the rail. 

Once the stranger craft had been made fast, Paul 
could see that she had on board two men, one who 
acted as helmsman and also as spokesman, and the 
other a native of Seaview, whom the lad knew right 
well. 

“Hello, Nate Sawyer!” he cried softly, and the 
man addressed replied : 

“Oh, that’s you, eh, Paul Simpson? It seems to 
me you’re kind’er scary of people out this way. I’ve 
heard tell that your father kept a mighty snug watch 
over his foxes; but didn’t reckon he allowed it would 
hurt ’em if a boat as small as this sailed into the cove.” 

“You may come on board, sir,” Mr. Sawtelle said 
as the man at the helm stepped on the rail of the 
power boat, evidently fearing to approach nearer. 


138 


THE AEROPLANE 


The invitation Avas accepted in a twinkling, and al- 
though neither Paul nor Ned deliberately intended to 
listen to the conversation, it was impossible for them 
to avoid hearing what was said. 

“My wife and baby went on board the tramp 
steamer Glendower, at Quebec, counting to land in 
Halifax, or some one of the eastern ports in the 
States,” the man began hurriedly as if afraid Mr. Saw- 
telle might interrupt him before his story was told. 
“Two days out the baby was taken sick — there’s no 
doctor aboard — the craft didn’t make Halifax^ — I 
don’t know why, and there’s no show of her touching 
anywhere until arriving at New Orleans, which is her 
destination. If I can get them off that ship, my 
baby’s life may be saved. Unless you are willing to 
help me, the little thing will die.” 

“In what way can I help you ?” Mr. Sawtelle asked, 
and by the tone of his voice Paul could understand 
that this fragmentary story had aroused all his sym- 
pathy and interest. 

“I am told you have a wireless telegraph here. 
With the best of luck the steamer cannot be in this 
vicinity until morning, perhaps to-morrow noon. You 
could send a message for me, and I will run out in 
the boat I’ve got here, to take my chance of getting 
them ashore.” 

“But how did you know all this, if your baby was 
taken sick after the steamer left port, and you say she 
hasn’t made harbor since?” 

“My wife, almost crazy as I can well fancy, and 
ready to jump at any possible chance of getting word to 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


139 


me, wrote half a dozen lines on the poor hope of being 
able to send them into a port from which they could 
be telegraphed. How she succeeded I have no idea; 
but certain it is I got the message five hours ago. 
Your father knows me, Paul Simpson,” he added turn- 
ing toward the lad. 'T live in Enfield; my name is 
Henry Barton.” 

‘‘And you are asking that we try to pick up the 
steamer Glendower by the wireless?” Mr. Sawtelle 
said in a questioning tone. 

“It is a poor chance for me, I know, sir, even if 
you can succeed in finding hef; but it is the only hope 
IVe got. I’m not a rich man; but will pay every cent 
I can raise now, and mortgage my home for as much 
more as may be needed, if you will do me this 
turn.” 

“Are you counting to lay here until we find this 
steamer by wireless, if so be we can?” the owner of 
the Neva asked. 

“No, sir. The boat I have is a small one, and slow. 
I hired her at Seaview. My idea was that if you 
would telegraph, doing all you could to-night to find 
her, I would start now with the hope of picking up the 
Glendower” 

“Have you any idea what course she would take?” 

“No, sir.” 

“And you would put to sea in a fifteen-foot boat 
to hunt for a steamer in the night? Why, man, look- 
ing for a needle in a hay-stack isn’t to be compared 
with such a search.” 

“But I must do something, sir! If there is one 


140 


THE AEROPLANE 


chance in a thousand that I can get my baby off the 
vessel, I will strive for that one.” 

“But there isn’t one chance in ten thousand, Barton, 
that you could do anything of the kind. Besides, your 
boat isn’t fit for such a voyage. I’ll admit you have 
come from Sea view, a matter of twenty miles; but it 
is a calm night. By morning we may have half a 
gale of wind blowing, and then she would founder 
without a question.” 

“It would be better she did, so I went down with 
her, sir, than for me to remain idle, without trying 
to do something toward saving my baby’s life.” 

“But suppose the improbable : That you set off now 
on a blind search over the broad ocean; that we suc- 
ceed in finding the steamer by wireless; that you get 
your baby on board that cockle-shell of a power boat. 
Do you think you could bring the child ashore?” 

“I would try it, sir, and I’ll stake my life that 
Maty had rather drown with the baby and me, than 
keep on to New Orleans, arriving there childless.” 

There was a big lump in Paul’s throat as he listened 
to this man pleading for help when it seemed well- 
nigh impossible any aid could be rendered him. Zenas 
was furtively wiping his eyes as he peered out into 
the darkness lest anyone should see that he was 
affected by the pitiful story, while Ned was not 
ashamed to let the tears which trickled down his 
cheeks, be brought into view by the reflection from the 
riding-lights. 

Mr. Sawtelle remained silent while one might have 
counted ten, and then asked abruptly ; 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


141 

you know whether this steamer Glendower has 
a wireless apparatus aboard ?” 

‘^No, sir.’^ 

‘Tt seems to me, Barton, that there’s precious little 
chance of your succeeding, however well you may be 
equipped. I do not fancy that ten per cent, of the 
tramp steamers carry the wireless, and we may work 
at our instruments here all night without the possi- 
bility of sending a message to her, even though she 
might be within a distance of twenty miles.” 

‘‘But, Mr. Sawtelle, there is a chance, even though, 
as you say, it is only one in ten thousand, and ” 

“Don’t think. Barton, that I am turning a deaf ear 
to your story. I want you, however, to understand 
how slight is the possibility that it’s within the power 
of anyone to aid you. We will act as if we knew 
the Glendower was equipped with a wireless, and you 
shall put to sea in a craft that, under ordinary circum- 
stances and conditions of weather, will bear you safely. 
Send that cockle-shell back to Seaview. We will 
get the Neva under way, and work the telegraph as 
we put to sea.” 


CHAPTER VIII 

A FORLORN HOPE 

The man who had^come to Barren Island in the 
hope of persuading the silver fox farmers to send a 
message out over the waters with the chance of its 
being heard by the commander of the Glendower, 
actually looked bewildered when Mr. Sawtelle an- 
nounced his intention of aiding in every possible way. 

There would have been hardly a hope that the little 
power boat in which Barton had come from Seaview, 
could swim long enough to go in search of the tramp 
steamer and return, and it seemed almost positive 
that the quest for her, even in the larger vessel, would 
be abortive. With the N era, however, there was some 
slight ground for the believing that the attempt might 
be successful. 

Barton strove earnestly to make Mr. Sawtelle under- 
stand how grateful he was ; but at such a time words 
are all too poor a medium to convey a debt of grati- 
tude which is really felt, and he stammered and hesi- 
tated in his speech until the owner of the Nera said in 
a friendly tone : 

‘T can well understand that you are thankful be- 
cause I am willing to send out my yacht on what I 
consider a forlorn hope, and there is no need, Barton, 
for you to try to put the matter into words. You 
believe that the life of your baby depends upon tak- 
ing her off the Glendower before that steamer pro- 
ceeds further on the voyage. I have very little faith 
142 


THE AEROPLANE 


143 


in our being able to pick up the steamer, even if she 
hasn’t already passed further down the coast; but at 
the same time intend to put forth every effort, as if 
believing the task may be accomplished.” 

Again Barton tried to voice his thanks, and again 
he was prevented by Mr. Sawtelle, who set about ar- 
ranging for the proposed rescue in a business-like 
manner. 

Paul and Ned were literally astounded when the 
owner of the Neva proposed to employ her on Mr. 
Barton’s business. The same thought had been in the 
minds of both the lads: That they might run out in 
the Hampton boat. If, however, the Nera was to 
be sent for that purpose, then did it seem as if. more 
than half the battle had been fought, for with her 
standing straight away from the coast, sending mes- 
sages by wireless all the while, it surely seemed as if 
the sick baby might be rescued. 

While their sympathies had been aroused, the boys 
were disappointed because of not, as they believed, 
being able to have a hand in this charitable work. To 
their minds it was a fact that Mr. Sawtelle would take 
entire command of the expedition, and there was 
every reason why one or the other of them should re- 
main on the island in order to be able to answer any 
call that might come from the apparatus on the Nera. 

Therefore it was that the two lads literally gasped 
with astonishment when Mr. Sawtelle wheeled sud- 
denly about to face Master Cushing, and said curtly : 

''Zenas, I have good reason to know that you’re 
enough of a sailor to take charge of a blind hunt such 


144 


THE AEROPLANE 


as this is likely to be. You are to go in command of 
the yacht,” and without waiting for reply he turned 
toward Paul, continuing, ''Either you or your mate 
will remain continuously at the wireless instrument, 
sending out a call for the Glendower, and reporting 
now and then to us here how the search has progressed. 
Begin the work as soon as the Neva has run around 
the island, and do not be discouraged if twenty-four 
hours pass without your receiving any reply from the 
craft you are trying to find.” 

"Are we to go in the yacht, sir?” Paul asked in 
astonishment, and there was the lightest suspicion of 
irony in Mr. Sawtelle’s tone as he replied : 

"It would be fair for you to assume as much, other- 
wise you would not be able to do as I have requested. 
Have you any objection to aiding in this work?” 

"Certainly not,” Paul said emphatically. "I was 
surprised because we were to have the chance. It 
seemed reasonable you would take charge of the 
entire matter, and we be cut out in order to work 
the wireless here.” 

"While Mr. Barton has all my sympathy, and I am 
ready to do everything in my power to aid him, I have 
no intention of discontinuing the work on the aero- 
plane, even for a short time. Therefore it is I shall 
remain, and you may count on my being within hear- 
ing whenever you call Barren Island. I believe Zenas 
can handle the Neva as well as I could, and am cer- 
tain, because of what has been done, that he will 
conduct the search in better fashion, therefore have 
I given him command of the yacht. If you are so 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


145 


fortunate as to succeed in your purpose, carry Mr. 
Barton’s wife and child wherever he may desire, first 
notifying me of the port you intend to make. That 
done, you will, of course, return here as soon as 
may be safely possible.” 

While Mr. Sawtelle was thus making arrangements 
for the search. Barton held a brief conversation with 
the man who had brought him* out from Seaview, and 
when it was come to an end the latter gave the word 
for the hawser to be cast off, immediately standing out 
of the cove as if in such haste to return home that he 
could not afford to loiter until the Nera was got under 
way. 

Mr. Simpson had come on deck while his partner 
was giving command of the Nera over to Zenas, and 
when Mr. Sawtelle stood silent and motionless a mo- 
ment, as if turning over in his own mind further 
details which should be attended to by him, Paul’s 
father said laughingly: 

^'Since you do not fully enjoy such meals as are 
served by Mrs. Downs, wouldn’t it be a good idea 
for you to send ashore some of your private stores, 
in order to guard against possible starvation?” 

“There isn’t time for that,” the owner of the Nera 
replied quickly. “We have no means of knowing 
where this tramp steamer may be now, and it strikes 
me that Barton can’t afford to loiter here.” Then, 
raising his voice, he cried, “Pass the word to the en- 
gineer, Zenas, and get your anchor. The yacht must 
be under way as soon as we can leave her.” 

“Aye, aye, sir,” came from out the darkness, fol- 


146 


THE AEROPLANE 


lowed by the hurried tramp of feet, which told that the 
crew of the Neva already understood what was re- 
quired of them. 

“Do you think that by our going away at such a 
time there will be any danger Bingham can work 
mischief?” Paul asked of his father in a whisper, 
and the latter replied confidently : 

“Not a bit of it, lad. With the Downs family, 
there are five of us, and Pm willing to guarantee 
that there’ll be less possibility of that old smuggler’s 
gaining a foothold on this island, than when Captain 
Tobi was on the alert with every preparation made for 
capturing him. Don’t let your mind be disturbed 
about us here; but think only of that which you are 
striving to accomplish. It is generous in Sawtelle to 
do all within his power for Barton, while the man is 
in such trouble, yet I fail to see how he could have 
offered less.” 

The owner of the Nera had already brought the old 
dory up to the accommodation ladder, and Mr. Simp- 
son had hardly more than ceased speaking before he 
cried sharply : 

“Now then, partner, there is no time to be lost, 
and we must not be the ones to delay matters. See 
to it, Paul, that you or Ned remain at the instrument 
all the time, and make a thorough job of it, even 
though you remain outside two or three days.” 

“But how are we to call the Glendower^ sir?” 

“I declare I had forgotten to look at the code which 
I bought last year,” and Mr. Sawtelle hurried toward 
the deck-house. “If she has a wireless ^iboard we shall 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


147 

find her call. Don’t forget that the signal for help is 
now s-o-s, instead of c-d-q.” 

Then the gentleman disappeared from view within 
the deck-house, and Zenas called from the bow: 

^The anchor is hove short, an’ we’ll be under way 
as soon as you give the word, sir.” 

^‘Have patience a moment, Cushing, for we’ll soon 
be ready to go ashore,” Mr. Simpson replied, and 
then his partner came on deck once more. 

“I don’t find any such steamer set down as having 
a wireless; but that is no proof she hasn’t one, for it 
may have been installed since the code was printed, 
or might readily have been left out owing to the 
neglect of her owners. However, Paul, send out your 
call of s-o-s, following it by the name Glendower. 
If she is within hearing, the cry for help should be 
answered, even though her name is not given. If you 
receive replies from any other craft, explain your pur- 
pose, and thus be spreading abroad in this vicinity the 
information that you are in search of the tramp.” 

Then Mr. Sawtelle went over the rail, followed by 
his partner, and the dory had no more than been 
headed for the shore when Zenas took his station in 
the wheel-house, as he shouted to the two men for- 
ward : 

‘‘All ready there ! Get your anchor !” 

Then came the jingle of bells from the motor- 
room, and the churning of water told that the Nera 
was under way on her mission of mercy. 

During all this time no attention had been paid to 
Mr. Barton, who was standing almost exactly where 


THE AEROPLANE 


148 

he had first come aboard, as if not daring to move 
in either direction, and Paul, whose heart warmed 
toward the man because of his mental suffering, said 
as he touched him lightly on the arm : 

‘'You had better come into the deck-house, Mr. 
Barton. There’s nothing to be done for a long time 
yet, and we’ll find quite a sea running outside.” 

“It seems as if my place was here,” the sorrowing 
father exclaimed. “I couldn’t go below when we are 
starting in the hope of rescuing my baby, for it will 
be a rescue to take her from that steamer, even as 
if she was on a sinking vessel. Her mother would 
never have sent such a message if she had not been 
convinced that the child’s life depended upon her get- 
ting ashore.” 

“It seems like a poor chance, as Mr. Sawtelle has 
said, for us to attract the attention of a steamer without 
knowing anything whatsoever of her whereabouts,” 
Paul said, hoping to cheer in some slight degree the 
distressed man, “and yet two of us, meaning Zenas 
and me, had a more difficult task, and one which 
seemed less likely of accomplishment, when w^e gave 
aid to this very yacht.” 

“I am praying to God that you may succeed this 
time,” Barton said fervently, and then went into the 
very bow of the Neva, where he stood peering out 
into the gloom, as if he had reason to believe that 
within a few seconds the steamer he was so anxious 
to come up with, would heave in sight. 

The little yacht sailed out of the harbor fairly fast; 
but not until she had passed around the northern end 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


149 


of the island, and was headed straight across the 
mighty world of waters, did the engineer let her out 
at full speed, and then it seemed to Paul and Ned 
as if she literally flew over the waves, beating down 
the heavy surges with her sharp prow, or flinging the 
white spray fore and aft as she sheered her way 
through the curling crests. 

^'My, but this boat can go!’’ Ned exclaimed. “I 
had an idea she might be speedy; but never fancied 
it would be possible to strike it up at this gait.” 

It was the first time the boys had been on board 
the Neva when she was under way, and the two stood 
near the wheel-house thrilled by the ‘Teel” of the 
swift craft beneath their feet, until Zenas cried 
sharply : 

‘T thought the orders were for you lads to get that 
wireless arrangement into working order as soon as 
we left the island; or have the plans been changed, 
and you two are passengers out for your health?” 

Paul started as if someone had dealt him a heavy 
blow, and in less than five minutes he was sending 
across the waters that call which would be answered 
on the instant by every wireless operator who heard it. 

“There’s no need of both staying here,” Ned said 
after his comrade had begun that task which was to 
be continued throughout the night. “Pll go into the 
wheel-house, and when you want me to spell you, 
pass the word.” 

“Well, what about it?” Zenas asked as Ned came 
into the helmsman’s narrow quarters. “Got the wire- 
less working?” 


THE AEROPLANE 


150 

‘Taul’s tending to that, and I fancy he will get 
a good many replies before any word comes from the 
Glendower. To tell the truth, Zenas,’’ he added, low- 
ering his voice lest Barton should overhear him, 
^'there’s precious little hope of our striking the tramp 
steamer, because, as Mr. Sawtelle said, there are few 
of such craft that have a wireless aboard, and if this 
one on which are Barton’s wife and child, hasn’t any- 
thing of the kind, all our labor will be in vain.” 

‘"Yes,” Zenas said thoughtfully, as he peered ahead 
into the gloom. 'T reckon it’s a pretty slim show; 
but if I could know what time that ’ere steamer was 
off any place along the Nova Scotia coast, I wouldn’t 
be worryin’ but that I’d pick her up without any wire- 
less. There’s no disputin’ the fact that it would be 
a blind chase; but bless you, Ned, if we could have 
an idee just hoAV far she ought to be off Barren Island, 
why then give us daylight, an’ there’s more chance 
of doing the job than there would be of catching a 
greased pig. I’ll tell you that. But say, what about 
this yacht ? Ain’t she a bird ?” 

^‘She can sail, and that’s a fact.” 

^^Sail!” Zenas cried enthusiastically. ^‘.Why bless 
your heart, lad, she’s skimmin’ right over the tops of 
these ’ere waves. We don’t touch ’em, either. Talk 
about your flyin’ machines ! Mr. Sawtelle would have 
a better chance, ’cordin’ to my way of thinkin’, to rig 
up an air-ship, if he’d put wings on this blessed little 
yacht. She’s a dandy if there ever was one ! I’ve 
heard a good deal about these ’ere fancy yachts; but 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


151 

this daisy goes ahead of anythin’. I don’t believe 
there’s a craft afloat that can touch her.” 

“Oh now, Zenas, you’re getting way off. Mr. 
Sawtelle doesn’t claim that she’s the greatest boat ever 
built.” 

“I don’t care what he claims; feel of her now! 
Why that ’ere Hampton boat, an’ you’ve got to admit 
she’s about as good a sea-goin’ craft as you ever 
stepped aboard, would be wallowin’ into these ’ere 
surges makin’ heavy weather of what’s no more’n 
a moonlight excursion for this little beauty.” 

Then Zenas must needs go into all the details of that 
which he and Paul had done the summer previous, 
when they saved the lives of all on board the Nera, 
and towed the little craft into port, a story which Ned 
had heard at least a dozen times before. 

He took advantage of the opportunity to leave the 
wheel-house when Zenas had for the moment ceased 
speaking in order to assure himself that the white 
crest of a huge wave in the distance was not the can- 
vas of some sailing craft, and went into the motor- 
room, where the engineer was watching the delicate 
machinery almost as a cat watches a mouse. 

“Going fast enough to suit you?” the man asked 
cheerily. 

“She’s making altogether better time than I had 
believed possible.” 

“Oh, the Nera can hump herself when she’s 
needed. Where’s that poor man what’s looking for his 
baby ?” 


152 


THE AEROPLANE 


“Well up in the bow, as if he believed we might 
miss the steamer in case he didn^t stay on the look- 
out/' 

“Pm sorry for him, sorry indeed," the engineer 
said as he carefully oiled a bearing which gave signs 
of going dry. “There’s this much about it : All hands 
of us, including the little yacht herself, are doing our 
level best, and if we can’t help him, nor your wire- 
less don’t get the steamer, then I’ll say nobody on 
this earth could have done it. Has he any grounds 
for believing the tramp should be off here about this 
time?" 

“That’s the worst part of the whole business," Ned 
replied sadly. “He doesn’t know anything of her 
movements. She may be half way to New Orleans 
by this time. All he counts on is that the message 
his wife gave the fisherman to deliver, was sent im- 
mediately, in which case, of course, the steamer should 
be off here sometime to-morrow." 

“It looks hopeless; but if you find that he needs 
perkin’ up, an’ I daresay he will ’twixt this and 
twenty-four hours, tell him every man jack aboard is 
just as eager on the hunt as he is. I would feel a 
little better if Mr. Sawtelle was here, because, you 
see, Zenas don’t strike me as being very much of a 
sailor, even though he did pick us up when we were 
needing him woefully bad." 

“Zenas doesn’t claim to know much of seamanship, 
although he has knocked around in boats and vessels 
all his life," Ned said, at the same time wondering 
whether it was not his duty to give Master Cushing 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


153 


more than his full due of praise, in order that the 
engineer might cease regretting the absence of the 
owner. ‘^Mr. Sawtelle must have thought Zenas 
could handle the craft as well as himself, otherwise he 
wouldn’t have sent him.” 

‘‘True for you, lad, and at the same time I can’t 
help saying to myself that I would be better pleased 
if an older man was in command.” 

Ned was not inclined to discuss Zenas’s qualifica- 
tions for running the yacht, and more particularly be- 
cause he himself had greater faith in Mr. Sawtelle’s 
ability. The voyage had been begun, however, and 
under the direction of the owner, therefore it was 
not for those who were taking part in the search 
to criticize what had been done ; but rather to do their 
utmost toward using to the best advantage the tools 
which had been given them. 

Partly because of wishing to avoid any discussion, 
and partly owing to the fact that it was time he should 
ascertain whether Paul needed to be relieved from 
duty, Ned went into the room on deck where stood 
the instruments of the wireless apparatus, finding his 
comrade industriously sending out over the waters the 
call for aid. 

“Have you got anything?” he asked, and Paul re- 
plied mournfully : 

“No, nothing to speak of. Somebody tried to pick 
me up two or three minutes ago; but I couldn’t make 
out anything definite. I don’t believe it was an an- 
swer to our signal; but a case of another fool’s but- 
ting in where he didn’t know his business.” Then he 


154 


THE AEROPLANE 


added with a nervous laugh, almost immediately, 
‘‘Perhaps I am the ignorant one, and wasn’t operator 
enough to take his message.” 

“I’ll answer for it that you were not the one to 
blame,” was the hearty reply. “You’re the best 
operator I know of around here.” 

“That’s because I’m the only one, with the excep- 
tion of yourself, therefore a fellow needn’t plume 
himself very much over such praise as that,” and Paul 
ceased working the key in order to listen for an an- 
swer. 

“What about Mr. Sawtelle? He claims to be a 
wireless operator.” 

“But you’ve never seen him at work.” 

“There’s no need of it in order to be certain that 
you lay way over him. Say, you’re getting tired. 
Let me spell you a while, so that you may get a whiff 
of fresh air and have some idea of how this yacht is 
moving.” 

Paul rose from his chair at once, thus showing that 
he was in need of a rest, and Ned set about sending 
out the signal which it was hoped would reach the 
Glendower. 

The night was not so dark but that it was possible 
to see with reasonable distinctness from one end of 
the yacht to the other, and Paul made his way toward 
that solitary figure in the bow, guessing on the in- 
stant who it might be. 

“We’ve got speed enough to catch any tramp 
steamer that ever floated, if we can get an idea of 
where she may be,” he said, striving to speak cheerily. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


155 

and the sorrowing man replied without turning his 
head : 

“I suppose the yacht is moving swiftly, and yet at 
times it seems to me almost as if she were standing 
still. Have you heard anything through the wire- 
less ?” 

‘‘Not a word; but surely that isn’t any token 
we’re not going to succeed. We haven’t been away 
from the island an hour, and you heard Mr. Saw- 
telle’s opinion that our search might be a long one.” 

‘'And while we are running in this direction the 
Glendower may be going directly away from us/’ the 
man said with a long-drawn sigh. 

“That would hardly be possible, unless she was 
aiming to strike the mainland. She may be crossing 
the course we have laid out for ourselves; bnt even 
in such an event, we should be able to pick her up if 
she has a wireless apparatus.” 

“Ah, my boy, it is the fear she hasn’t, that comes 
near breaking my heart! Of course we can’t hope to 
run upon her without knowing in what direction she 
may be, and unless she can be reached by the wireless 
there is no hope of my seeing the baby again.” 

“You are speaking now as if you were positive the 
child would die if you didn’t succeed in taking her off 
the steamer,” Paul replied, striving to think of some 
words of cheer. “It may be that even at this moment 
she is as well as when you saw her last.” 

“There’s no such chance as that. The greatest fear 
is that the little thing may be dead already. My wife 
wouldn’t have sent the message she did, if it had not 


THE AEROPLANE 


156 

been plain that the baby’s life was in gravest danger.” 

Paul was on the point of suggesting that the 
mother’s anxiety might have caused her to magnify 
the danger; but he refrained from doing so as he 
realized that little good could come of attempting to 
argue with this father who was well-nigh distracted, 
therefore he said as if there was no doubt in his mind 
regarding the matter: 

“We shall surely pick up some craft before many 
hours have passed, and if we explain why we are 
cruising, word will be passed from one vessel to an- 
other until the Glendower, even though she hasn’t a 
wireless apparatus, can be warned of our coming.” 

“I never thought we might get a message to her 
in that way!” Barton exclaimed with a fluttering of 
hope in his voice, and Paul believed that it was best 
the conversation cease lest it be brought to a less 
satisfactory ending. 

“We are sending out the call for aid every mo- 
ment, and there isn’t a possibility that very much more 
time can pass before a reply comes from some craft.” 

“Do you intend to tell why we are hunting for the 
Glendower, in case your call is answered?” 

“Certainly, unless the vessel is too far away, or 
on a course . which would not admit of her coming 
across the tramp steamer.” 

“If the story is heard by a shipmaster who has 
children of his own, he will be certain to do all he 
can to help us,” Mr. Barton said after a brief pause, 
and Paul believed he had done no little toward lessen- 
ing the man’s anxiety. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


157 


“Any captain, whether he has children of his own 
or not, will do everything in his power to bring us in 
touch with the Glendower/" Paul added as he went to- 
ward the wheel-house, where Zenas greeted him in a 
low tone by saying: 

“I allowed it was about time Ned gave you a 
breathin’ spell. So you’ve been havin’ a chin with 
Barton ?” 

“I saw him standing there alone, and thought the 
least I could do would be to make him believe we 
counted on catching the Glendowerf^ 

“Mow’d he take it?” 

“I fancy he’s feeling a bit better in mind; but you 
can’t expect that he’ll be very cheerful until he knows 
his baby is alive and well.” 

“Then I’m afraid it’ll be a long time before he perks 
up again,” and now Zenas spoke in a whisper. “Be- 
twixt you an’ me I’m beginnin’ to think we’re on a 
wild-goose chase. When we first started I was a bit 
excited, an’ almost believed we’d be able to run right 
alongside that ’ere tramp steamer; but now I’ve had 
time to chew the business over, it looks mighty dark. 
Jest think what we’re up against.” 

“Don’t, Zenas! Don’t figure out how and why we 
are certain to make a failure of the cruise!” Paul 
cried in a tone so loud that the solitary figure in the 
bow turned quickly, as if fancying some news had 
come concerning those whom he was so eager to see. 
Then Paul added in a whisper, “It won’t do any good 
to insist that we shan’t find the Glendower, and will 
only serve to keep us down-hearted. We must try 


158 


THE AEROPLANE 


to believe that there’s no question about striking 
her.” 

‘‘If I remember rightly, you was the one who was 
bent on crossin’ bridges before we came to them, when 
we searched for the Neva” 

“That’s true, Zenas, and it was well for me 
you persisted in looking on the bright side, as you 
must do now, if for no other reason than to keep up 
the heart of the poor fellow yonder,” and Paul pointed 
toward the statue-like figure in the bow. 

“You’re talkin’ sense, lad, an’ I know it. I wasn’t 
meanin’ to get down at the heel; but it’s enough to 
give any feller the blues, standin’ here tryin’ to look 
through the blackness, an’ knowin’ that the steamer 
we’re after may be within five miles of us at this 
very minute, without our bein’ able to let her know 
we’re cornin’ for the baby.” 

Before Paul could reply the bell which was con- 
nected with the wireless room rang out sharply as a 
token that the operator wanted to speak with some- 
one, and Paul answered it quickly, entering the apart- 
ment in time to see that Ned was receiving a message 
from some point out in the world of darkness. 

The lad was writing the words clicked off by the in- 
strument, and, looking over his shoulder, Paul read 
as Ned formed the letters : 

^^Glendower seven miles S. E. by S. off Halifax 
yesterday 4 p. M. Her course should be S. S. W. 
Believe she has wireless. Stea. Storm King, Mason, 
Master.” 

“Thank you !” Ned wired, and then Paul seized him 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


159 

by the shoulder, shaking the lad boisterously as he 
cried triumphantly: 

^‘Good boy! Talk about wireless operators! You 
beat us all! Now weVe got something to work on, 
and if that isn’t doing a big stroke of business I don’t 
know what you can call it! Not more than three 
hours from port, and have found out where the Glen- 
dower is to a dot !” 

“Say, you’re going a bit too fast,” Ned said laugh- 
ingly. “We know where she was yesterday afternoon, 
that is all.” 

“Zenas won’t say so. He’ll have her whereabouts 
figured within a few miles, five minutes after getting 
this news,” Paul cried as he ran swiftly into the wheel- 
house, having with him the slip of paper on which Ned 
had set down the message received, and read it aloud 
by aid of the binnacle lamp. 

“Well say, that’s great!” Zenas shouted in glee. 
“Now we’ve got her down fine, an’ you may kick me 
all over the deck if we don’t come somewhere near 
sizin’ her up before four an’ twenty hours go by.” 

Mr. Barton could not have failed to hear the helms- 
man’s cry, and he ran swiftly aft to the wheel-house 
window as he asked in a voice choking with emotion : 

“Have you any news of the Glendowerf* 

“Aye, that we have, man! She was seven miles 
sou’east by south off Halifax yesterday afternoon, 
an’ her course should be sou’-sou’west. Find her? 
Why, man alive, it’s almost the same as if we had 
her under our bow this very minute!” 

“Oh, thank God! Thank God!” Barton cried fer- 


i6o THE AEROPLANE 

vently as tears of joy ran down his face, and Paul 
was sorry Zenas had spoken so confidently, for if 
they failed in the search now, this father’s grief would 
be more overpowering, if indeed that could be possible, 
than if he had had no ray of hope. 

^‘Yes, sir, you can bet your bottom dollar that we’ll 
pick her up, wireless or no wireless, unless she’s a 
better sailer than tramp steamers generally are ! Paul, 
take the helm a jiffy, an’ let me do a bit of figgerin’. 
Pm goin’ to overhaul the charts in Mr. Sawtelle’s 
room, an’ we'll soon know how far we’ve got to travel 
before strikin’ the Glendower^s course in time to cut 
her off. Sou’-sou’west from Halifax should be near 
enough for us.” 

Paul took the wheel, and Zenas ran below as if his 
very life depended upon getting there within a given 
time, while Mr. Barton, wLo yet stood by the window, 
said as if he had no doubt as to the truth of Zenas’s 
wild statement : 

“If me or mine ever forget what you and the owner 
of this yacht have done in our behalf, I hope direst 
misfortune may follow us all the rest of our lives. 
Without you, my baby ” 

Paul had not the heart to listen to this poor father’s 
words of gratitude when the work was far from being 
accomplished — when there were yet an hundred 
chances to one against their ever coming in contact 
with the Glendower, and he cried sharply: 

“Don’t, Mr. Barton, don’t thank us for what hasn’t 
yet been done. Wait till you have the baby in your 
arms, and then I’ll listen to whatever you may have 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


i6i 


to say, even though we don’t want to be thanked be- 
cause of doing what any person, with half a heart in 
him, would have done.” 

‘‘But shouldn’t I say that which I feel, now it is 
certain we shall come up with the steamer?” Bar- 
ton asked in surprise. 

“Perhaps I’ve got a foolish notion, borrowed from 
old sailors, about salting fish before they’re caught. 
I’ll admit that it seems as if we had a fairly good 
reason to say we’ll be able to overhaul the Glendower ; 
but the ocean is large; there are many chances of our 
missing her even now, through being overconfident, 
and it isn’t well to make up our minds that it is im- 
possible to fail.” 

“Hurrah, lads!” Zenas shouted at the full strength 
of his lungs as he opened the wheel-house door. “As 
I figger it, allowin’ that the Glendower don’t steam 
over twelve knots, which is good time for a tramp, 
we ought’er be mighty nigh to her before sunset to- 

ff 


morrow.' 


CHAPTER IX 


THE ''gLENDOWER’' 

The seemingly authoritative statement made by 
Zenas that the Neva should be in the vicinity of the 
Glendower before sunset on the following day, caused 
an exclamation of joy and relief from Barton. The 
unhappy father, prompted by hope to believe that 
which promised success, gave full credit to Master 
Cushing’s words; but Paul could not put implicit 
faith in the prediction. 

The lad knew that much of Zenas’s faith rested on 
a foundation of guesswork, for even though he had 
been a skilled a mariner he could not have been pos- 
itive of the relative positions of the tramp steamer 
and the yacht, through the information received, un- 
less a long time had been spent in working the prob- 
lem according to a seaman’s rules. It seemed certain 
Master Cushing had simply made a rough estimate of 
courses and distances, announcing as a fact that which 
was born only of a desire to ease Mr. Barton’s aching 
heart. 

‘‘Now, I’m tellin’ you what ought’er be done,” Zenas 
said in a matter-of-fact tone as he took the wheel 
from Paul. “There ain’t the least little bit of a show 
that we’ll see the Glendower before to-morrow night, 
therefore, if you’ll take my advice, Mr. Barton, it’s 
a case of turnin’ in to get some sleep, while the rest 
of us run this ’ere craft. You’ll be needed to act as 
lookout from noon to-morrow, ’cause we’re bound 
162 


THE AEROPLANE 163 

to keep a mighty sharp watch after that time, an’ it 
stands you in hand to be fit for the job.” 

“But it doesn’t seem right for me to sleep while all 
the others are on duty,” the man said hesitatingly, 
much as if he was inclined to follow the advice 
given. 

“You couldn’t help us a little bit if you kept pacin’ 
the deck from now till the crack of doom. Of course 
we must twist things ’round so’s all hands can have 
a spell below, an’ you’re the first to go off duty. I 
reckon Paul will show you where’s a chance to turn 
in.” 

“That I will,” the lad cried promptly. “You shall 
go into my cabin; it has two bunks, and since Ned 
and I cannot be below at the same time, there’s no 
fear of your depriving anyone of a chance to sleep.” 

“You’re certain I can’t be of any use on deck?” 
Mr. Barton asked of Zenas, and the latter replied em- 
phatically : 

“Seein’s how you can’t work the wireless, or run a 
craft of this kind, you’ll only be in the way so long 
as you’re on deck. Go below an’ get what sleep you 
can, so’s to be in good shape for a long watch to- 
morrow.” 

Barton did not attempt to argue the matter further ; 
but wheeled about as token that he was ready to 
follow Paul, and the lad led him to the cabin which had 
been set apart for the use of himself and Ned. 

“You’ll be sure to call me if there’s the least little 
thing I can do toward spelling any of you?” he said 
as if asking the greatest possible favor, when Paul 


164 


THE AEROPLANE 


would have left him alone, and the latter replied in 
a tone which carried with it conviction: 

^T’ll agree that you shall have a chance to do more 
than a full share of the work, if there is anything in 
your line/^ 

Then Paul went directly to the wheel-house, and 
once there asked in a cautious tone, as if fearing Mr. 
Barton from his cabin below might hear him: 

“Why did you tell him so positively that we would 
come up with the Glendozver by to-morrow night?” 

“ 'Cause I saw that was the kind of medicine he 
was needin' to prevent him from eatin' his heart out 
on deck,'' Master Cushing replied calmly. 

“But you are not seaman enough to work out the 
course of each craft by simply looking at the chart.” 

“I can guess at it as well as the next man, I reckon ; 
but if he’d got the idee that I wasn’t dead certain, 
he’d mooned 'round the deck all night long, an’ in 
the mornin’, when we might stand in need of a helpin' 
hand, wouldn’t be worth his salt. Besides, how do 
you know that I can’t work out the position of a ship?” 

“In the first place, I knew you hadn’t had the time, 
and then again, unless you are considerably more of 
a sailor than you have always allowed, it is impossi- 
ble.” 

“Well, to tell the truth, lad, I did depend on guess- 
work wholly; but I had a mighty good foundation to 
work on. Jest take a squint at the chart in Mr. Saw- 
telle’s room; draw a line from quarter of an inch off 
Halifax on a course sou'-sou’west, an' another due 
east from Barren Island, an' you’ll see that the two 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 165 

come together somewhere as we’re headin’. It stands 
to reason that I was out’er my reckonin’ as to the dis- 
tance, an’ had to allow how fast each craft was sailin’ ; 
but it was a fair guess, an’ I’m bound to hold, even 
when we’re talkin’ facts, that the chances are we’ll 
hit the Glendower unless she’s an abler steamer than 
tramps generally are.” 

‘'What about it if she hasn’t a wireless?” 

“Then it’s all a matter of luck, same’s when we 
started off in the Hampton boat to pick up this ’ere 
yacht. Anyway you look at it, I’d better have sent 
Barton below believin’ there wasn’t the slightest doubt 
about pickin’ up the steamer, than to have hemmed 
an’ hawed till he got so fidgety he’d need a straight 
jacket. I’m reckonin’ we can do more good by makin’ 
ready for a long cruise, than in chinnin’ over what 
can’t be mended whichever way things turn. 
S’posen you send Ned below for a two-hours’ watch, 
so’s he’ll be in shape to spell you later? We can’t 
hold our eyes open twenty-four hours on a stretch, 
an’ keep on doin’ sich work as is bound to come our 
way after sunrise.” 

“Ned and I will be able to do the turn all right, 

getting as much sleep as will be needed; but what 

about you and the engineer?” 

“He’s got a couple of men to spell him, so we 

needn’t borrow trouble on that score,” was the care- 

less reply. 

“But what about you? Who is to take your place 
at the wheel ?” Paul asked sharply. 

“I’ll look after that part of it, lad. Either the 


THE AEROPLANE 


1 66 

engineer or one of you boys can hold this ’ere craft on 
a course, after you’ve put yourself in condition to 
do the work, for she steers herself, as you might say.” 

“Why shouldn’t I spell Ned at the instrument, and 
’let him take the wheel for an hour?” 

“Look here, lad, didn’t you catch on to what Mr. 
Sawtelle said ’bout my bein’ in command durin’ this 
’ere cruise?” 

“Well, what if I did?” 

“Nothin’, only that what I say goes, an’ I’m layin’ 
out the duties of all hands while we’re under way. 
It’s for the rest of this ’ere crew to obey orders even 
if they break owners, an’ then if we fail, which I don’t 
allow, all the blame will be on my shoulders. Take 
the wheel while I run into the motor-room, an’ then 
send Ned below.” 

Zenas had thrust the spokes of the wheel into Paul’s 
hands as he spoke, and the last word was no more 
than uttered before he left the helmsman’s quarters 
for an interview with the engineer. 

Never before had the lad realized how lonely such 
a position might be, nor how filled with needless fears. 
After straining his eyes into the gloom a few mo- 
ments, it was as if the sea ahead of the yacht’s bow 
was an inclined plane up which she was striving to 
climb, and the gleam of a crested wave in the course 
loomed up big, as if it might be the canvas of some 
vessel which must be avoided. 

Now and then Paul involuntarily strove to shield 
his face with his arm when a mountain of green 
water towered above the Neva's bow as if bent on 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


167 


coming aboard, and again he allowed her to fall off 
two or three points, almost believing there was a craft 
of some kind directly ahead. 

“This isn’t the kind of a job Td hanker for very 
long at a time,” the lad muttered, striving to hold 
himself up to the work, knowing full well that he was 
giving way to fancies. “Running at full speed in the 
darkness isn’t to my liking, for we’d be full on a 
danger before it was seen. I wish Zenas hadn’t much 
the same as lied to Mr. Barton, and it amounted to 
that when he declared positively that we would pick 
up the Glendower to-morrow night, even though it 
made the poor man’s mind easy for the time being. 
Now if we miss her, as seems most likely, his disap- 
pointment and grief will be all the greater for this 
time of assurance.” 

It was well that Zenas returned to his post of duty 
within a short while, otherwise Paul would have al- 
lowed himself to fall into a most uncomfortable frame 
of mind, and it seemed to the lad as if the entire sit- 
uation had suddenly changed when Master Cushing 
burst into the wheel-house with a cheery hail of : 

“Well, my hearty, how is she holdin’ up?” and 
without waiting for the answer which he did not ex- 
pect, the temporary commander of the Nera added, 
“I’ve straightened the engineer’s crew out, so’s he 
an’ they’ll get all the sleep that’s really needed.” 

“But what about yourself?” Paul asked sharply. 

“Oh, I’ll pull through in great shape so long’s you 
an’ Ned can spell me. With two hours off an’ on 
we ought’er get along without missin’ a great deal.” 


THE AEROPLANE 


1 68 

'T hope I shan’t have to do much steering in the 
darkness,” Paul said as if speaking to himself, and 
Zenas cried laughingly: 

‘Tt does get on to a fellow’s nerves, an’ that’s a 
fact. I can conjure up all kinds of strange things 
while tryin’ to look inter the gloom. The safest way, 
lad, is to keep your eye on the compass, holdin’ her 
well up to the course.” 

‘‘And what if a sailing craft suddenly comes across 
the bow?” 

“There ain’t overly many chances of that, an’ I’d 
rather have a smash come when I wasn’t expectin’ 
it, than to keep the idee in my head every minute of 
the time, believing the little craft was runnin’ her 
nose inter all kinds of danger. It don’t pay, lad, to 
do too much thinkin’ when you’re standin’ your trick 
at the wheel in the night. Now s’posen you go aft 
an’ see how Ned is gettin’ along? I don’t reckon 
it’s any too cheerful work, keepin’ that ’ere machine 
clickin’ as he was doin’ when I came past the deck- 
house.” 

Acting upon this suggestion, Paul found his com- 
rade industriously sending out the appeal for aid, and 
in answer to his question Ned replied: 

“I haven’t learned anything worth while since you 
left. Somebody on shore picked me up and asked 
what the matter was; but when I explained he shut 
off mighty quick, with a sharp word or two about 
arousing the whole coast on account of one sick baby. 
I struck a sailing craft — a yacht, most likely; but 
she was off to the south, and hadn’t been east of 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 169 

Portland, so there was nothing to be gained from 
her.” 

‘‘Zenas claims that because Mr. Sawtelle put him 
in command of the yacht his orders are to be obeyed 
without a question,” Paul said laughingly, ^‘and you're 
to turn in for two hours, or stand a chance of being 
brought into court on a charge of mutiny.” 

‘‘But Pm not sleepy,” Ned replied decidedly. 
“Why don’t you go below, if there’s a show of get- 
ting a little rest?” 

“The orders are for you to take the first turn at it, 
and I didn’t venture to argue against the captain’s 
direct command,” Paul said as he shouldered his com- 
rade aside, taking his place at the instrument and 
continuing the appeal for aid. “Try to sleep, Ned, 
so that you’ll be in condition to relieve me when I 
take Zenas’s place at the wheel.” 

Master Bartlett was by no means inclined to seek 
his bunk, for the excitement of the blind chase was 
upon him, overpowering for the time being all de- 
mands of his body; but he had sufficient good sense 
to understand that Zenas’s command was a proper 
one under all the circumstances which might arise, 
and, without another word of protest, went below. 

During five minutes or more Paul clicked off the 
letters s-o-s, and then, at the very moment when he 
was least expecting a reply, came the answering sig- 
nal. 

“Looking for tramp steamer Glendower. Do you 
know anything about her?” was the message he sent 
out, and then, taking up his pencil in order to set 


THE AEROPLANE 


170 

down the reply that it might be shown later to his 
companions, he wrote as the words were sounded: 

‘AVhat’s the matter?” 

‘^Sick child aboard ; father trying to save life. This 
is yacht Nera, Sawtelle owner.” 

Again from over the waters, in what direction no 
one might say, came the words through the ether 
as distinctly as if sent by wire on land: 

Yacht Norseman, cruising Maine coast. Saw 
tramp steamer last night heading south, southwest. 
May be her if she comes from Halifax.” 

‘'She was off that coast last night,” Paul replied, 
his heart bounding with joy at thus getting more news 
of the craft for which they were searching. 

“Then we saw her. Is Sawtelle aboard?” 

“He is at Barren Island.” 

“Report us to him.” 

Then communication ceased, and although he had 
not learned anything new, it seemed to Paul as if his 
work at the instrument had been well rewarded. 

“Fm beginning to think that perhaps Zenas wasn’t 
so far wrong when he said we’d pick up the Glendower 
to-morrow night. If she has a wireless apparatus 
the work is almost the same as done, and even if she 
hasn’t, we may succeed in keeping track of her. It 
was my business to ask the Norseman how fast the 
tramp was sailing; but I forgot that part of it.” 

Then Paul began to send out his call once more, 
encouraged greatly by the reply just received, even 
though it brought him nothing new in the way of in- 
formation. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


171 

Within the next hour he heard twice from the 
mainland; but, as a matter of course, without getting 
any news of the tramp steamer, and then came that 
which caused him to shout for joy: 

The call was answered, and after he had explained 
why it was sent out, the reply came: 

“Steamer Cornishman from Halifax for Boston 
six yesterday afternoon. Passed Glendower about 
midnight, steaming ten knots, southerly course.” 

“Has she wireless?” Paul asked, literally trembling 
with excitement, for here, indeed, was news of im- 
portance. 

“Tried to speak her; but failed. Should say she 
wasn’t equipped. What course are you on?” 

“From Barren Island off Maine coast, steering due 
east. Perhaps sixty miles out.” 

“You are bound to strike her course. Be careful 
not to over-run it,” were the parting words, and Paul 
was so excited that he left the instrument to hasten 
into the wheel-house. 

“Well, there, didn’t I come somewhere nigh guess- 
ing right?” Zenas asked triumphantly when the lad 
had repeated the words which had been sent from the 
Cornishman, “I may not be much of a sailor when 
you come right down to cut an’ dried navigation, but 
I’m mighty good at hittin’ a nail on the head. After 
it comes somebody’s turn to spell me at the wheel, 
I’ll try to figger out about how far from Barren Island 
that ’ere tramp would pass if she held to her course.” 

“Go now ; I’ll stay here. It won’t do any harm to. 
leave the instrument ten minutes, for there, can’t be 


1/2 


THE AEROPLANE 


any craft, except the Cornishman, within hearing dis- 
tance/^ 

Zenas did not hesitate to do as Paul suggested, and 
at least twice ten minutes passed before he returned 
to say in a positive tone, as if it was impossible he 
could have made a mistake: 

“You can’t fool me now, lad, an’ I can come mighty 
nigh sayin’ jest when we’ll pick up the Glendower. 
We’re runnin’, as the engineer figgers it, twelve knots, 
an’ the tramp is doin’ ten ’cordin’ to all accounts. At 
that rate it stands us in hand to slow down ’bout two 
o’clock to-morrow afternoon, an’ keep everybody on 
the lookout.” 

“It seems positive that she hasn’t got a wireless 
aboard, and to run upon her by chance, as we’re try- 
ing to do, is next to impossible,” Paul said, beginning 
to despair once more, as he weighed all the odds 
against them. 

“We’ve tackled harder jobs, when there wasn’t so 
much need for pullin’ through, an’ worked the traverse 
in great shape,” Zenas cried cheerily. “I’m goin’ to 
hold to it for the next four an’ twenty hours that we’ll 
snake Barton’s wife off the Glendower before we’re 
much older; but you may keep on croakin’ that it 
can’t be done, if so be it’ll make you feel better.” 

“Of course I want to believe that we shall succeed; 
but it seems like an impossible task when you figure 
all the chances against us,” Paul replied as he re- 
turned to the telegraph room, and another hour passed 
as he continued to send out the call which was bound 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


1/3 

to attract the attention of whoever heard it; but no 
reply came. 

Then it was that Ned appeared, asking sharply as 
he entered : 

'Why didn’t you waken me? I thought the under- 
standing was that I should remain below two hours, 
and it is nearly sunrise now.” 

"It hadn’t come into my mind that I needed a rest,” 
Paul replied as he handed his comrade the sheet of 
paper on which was written the communication from 
the Cornishman. 'T felt so good after getting word 
from the steamer that I forgot all about myself. 
You may take my place now, and I’ll try to persuade 
Zenas he’d better get his watch below in order to be 
ready for work after a new day comes.” 

"It looks as if we had a chance of picking up the 
Glendower even though she may not have the wire- 
less,” Ned said as he read the written words. "There 
can be no mistake about our course, and the only dan- 
ger appears to be that we may cross hers after she 
has passed.” 

"Zenas thinks he has it figured down to the merest 
fraction, and we will try to believe he is in the right,” 
Paul replied as he rose from the chair like one whose 
limbs have been cramped by remaining in one position 
too long. "Of course we’ll keep the call going, ac- 
cording to Mr. Sawtelle’s orders; but I don’t believe 
any further good will come of it.” 

Then he went into the wheel-house with the propo- 
sition that Master Cushing turn in for a short time, 


174 


THE AEROPLANE 


and a stranger might have fancied that the helms- 
man believed he had been insulted by such a sugges- 
tion. 

‘‘You’re the one who must go below. I could stay 
here four an’ twenty hours longer, an’ never know 
I’d missed anythin’ in the way of snoozin’. Leave 
me alone, an’ see to it that you flash up bright an’ 
smilin’ about sunrise.” 

Then it was Paul argued that the commander of 
the yacht should be on duty after day had fully 
dawned, representing that it would be impossible for 
either he or Ned to sleep all the forenoon, even though 
one of them felt so disposed, and so successful was 
he in his purpose that Zenas finally came to believe 
it might be as well if he took his watch below just 
then. 

“It’s understood that you’re to call me if anythin’ 
turns up that you don’t know how to tackle?” he 
said questioningly, halting for an instant in the door 
of the wheel-house, and Paul replied decidedly: 

“If we sight anything larger than a fishing smack 
you, shall be notified, and in case Ned gets informa- 
tion of importance by the wireless, he will rout you 
out.” 

“I’ll make more certain of that last by speakin’ with 
him,” Zenas said grimly, and a moment later Paul 
could hear him giving Ned strictest orders to arouse 
him in case any word was received. 

“I’m only goin’ below to please Paul, not ’cause 
I’m achin’ to sleep,” he said, “an’ don’t allow that you 
two lads shall take any chances, for, even though 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


175 


you mean well, I’m not so certain I’d trust you in a 
chase of this kind where it needs a sailor to do the 
thinkin’.” 

‘‘So you have come to believe you’re a real sailor, 
after claiming that you was a duffer at such business,” 
Paul heard Ned say laughingly, and Zenas muttered 
something indistinctly about boys who tried to be 
funny, after which it was possible to hear his foot- 
steps as he went down the cabin companion-way. 

If Paul grew despondent of succeeding in their 
search while he remained alone at the wheel during 
the remaining moments of darkness, he was won- 
drously heartened when the red and yellow tokens of 
the rising sun seemed to spring out of the waters 
directly under the bow of the little yacht, and then 
he realized to the utmost the beauties of sunrise at 
sea. 

During many moments the eastern sky was gorgeous 
in coloring with the advancing heralds of a new day, 
and even while he gazed at the wondrous spectacle, at 
the same time he held the Nera true to her course, 
the flaming shafts of colored light faded away before 
the brilliancy of the sun, which showed his glowing 
face just above the horizon, changing to a golden 
hue all that sky of blue, red, and orange. 

Mr. Barton came on deck at the very moment when 
Paul was standing as if spellbound, his hands gripping 
the spokes of the wheel, but his eyes fixed on this old, 
old miracle of darkness dispelled by light. 

“Did you hear anything by wireless while I was 
below?” the anxious father asked, the grief in his 


176 


THE AEROPLANE 


heart too great to admit of his admiring the wonders 
of nature. 

Paul told of what had come from the Cornishman, 
saying in conclusion: 

‘T don’t know whether Ned has got anything since 
I came on duty here; but it wouldn’t have been possi- 
ble to learn more definitely that we are sailing on a 
course which should bring us across the Glendower^s 
bow, if we have not miscalculated her speed.” 

“Then you believe we will be able to pick her up?” 
Mr. Barton asked anxiously, and Paul, not willing to 
stretch the truth to quite such an extent as Zenas had 
done, replied evasively : 

“There is nothing else we can do to run across her, 
save keep on the same course until it seems possible 
we are in her path.” 

“When do you count on seeing her?” 

It was in Paul’s mind to say plainly that it was 
even now only by the merest chance they could hope 
to sight the tramp steamer; but he checked himself 
with the thought that no real good could come of 
killing the hope which had grown strong in the father’s 
mind since Zenas had said so positively the search 
would soon be successful, and he replied hesita- 
tingly : 

“Cushing believes we should be able to speak her 
this afternoon; but, of course, that is guesswork, and 
we may have a long chase after all, for there is good 
reason to believe she isn’t equipped with the wireless.” 

Mr. Barton stood irresolute an instant as if he would 
say that which was in his mind, and then he turned 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


177 


abruptly away, going into the very bow of the yacht, 
where he took up the same position of eager watching 
which had so worked on Paul’s nerves during the 
night. 

It is doubtful if either of the boys really knew 
whether a cook was on board the Nera or not, until 
about this time, when he gave ample proof of doing 
his share in the chase, by carrying into the wheel- 
house and the telegraph-room cups of steaming coffee. 

It was the one thing needed to cheer the tired lads, 
and Paul asked as he drank the last drop, wondering 
meanwhile how soon it would be before he might have 
something to eat : 

^'How does it happen that you are on board? I 
didn’t give much heed to the matter last night; but if 
I had, it would have been to believe that you went 
ashore with Mr. Sawtelle.” 

‘T was asleep when you got under way, and knew 
nothing of what was going on until getting an account 
of it from the engineer. Most likely Mr. Sawtelle 
will contrive to get along with such food as Mrs. 
Downs can cook, until we are in port once more. He 
has been so taken up with aeroplanes during the past 
two weeks, that I question if he really knows what is 
on the table when he sits down to a meal. At what 
time shall I serve breakfast?” 

''When you come right down to dots, I suppose 
that is a question Zenas should answer, since he con- 
siders himself the commander of this expedition be- 
cause Mr. Sawtelle put him in charge,” Paul said 
laughingly; "but if I had any voice in the matter. I’d 


178 


THE AEROPLANE 


say breakfast-time couldn’t come any too soon to 
please me.” 

“Will you awaken Cushing?” the cook asked. 

“No; let him sleep as long as he can, for no one 
may say how long it will be necessary for him to re- 
main on duty when he next shows up.” 

“I’ll bring you something to eat here, as I always 
do the helmsman when we are on a cruise,” the man 
said, and as he disappeared Ned came into the wheel- 
house. 

“It won’t do any harm to give the instrument a rest 
for ten minutes or more,” he exclaimed, throwing him- 
self on the locker as if tired to the verge of exhaus- 
tion. “I have continued the call till I can hear or 
see nothing save the letters s-o-s, and it gets to be 
monotonous after three or four hours of such work.” 

“Haven’t you had any reply since I left?” 

“Nothing of consequence. We are now so far at 
sea, and the wind blows so strong, that nothing definite 
can come from the land, and it seems as if vessels 
equipped with the wireless were mighty scarce in this 
vicinity. I wonder how your father and Mr. Saw- 
telle are coming on with the aeroplane this morning?” 

“I had rather know if they are in any danger from 
John Ed Bingham. While standing here with noth- 
ing else to think of, it has come into my mind that 
we might have left port just in time to give that old 
smuggler the chance he is most likely looking for.” 

“I believe we’ve got enough to worry us 
without harking back to John Ed for something dis- 
quieting,” Ned said almost petulantly. “Look at Bar- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


179 


ton standing there in the bow, straining his eyes in 
the hope of getting a glimpse of the Glendower, and, 
because of what Zenas told him, confidently expecting 
she will heave in sight sooner or later. Then 
tell me whether you can afford to spend time thinking 
of what an old reprobate like Bingham may be able 
to dor 

‘Tf you were to stand here at the wheel with good 
opportunity to think of everything that might work 
us harm, Tm allowing your thoughts would hark back 
to John Ed, even though Mr. Barton stood there in 
plain view to remind you that Zenas had no right to 
give him grounds for hope, when the chances are that 
we shall finally fail in what weVe come out to do.” 

“Then you do not believe we will come up with the 
Glendowerf' Ned asked as if in surprise, and Paul 
replied gloomily : 

“You must agree that the chances are against us. 
Of course it is possible everything will work 
out as Zenas has figured; but it is only a possibility, 
and when we have done our best and failed, it will 
be a question of guarding against the old smuggler.” 

Perhaps it was fortunate that the cook came at 
this moment with bread, broiled bacon, and an egg, 
for Paul was growing woefully despondent, as indeed 
he had ample grounds for being so far as the purpose 
of the cruise was concerned, and food was the one 
thing needed to bring him around to a healthy frame 
of mind. 

It was as if Master Cushing had followed at 
the heels of the cook, for before Ned could take the 


i8o 


THE AEROPLANE 


wheel in order to give the helmsman an opportunity 
to eat that which had been left on the locker, the 
temporary commander of the yacht entered in a bus- 
tling, cheery fashion as if everything was going ex- 
actly as he would have it. 

^T reckon Pm in good trim now for a full day’s 
work,” he said breezily. ‘'You lads can divide the 
wireless business to suit yourselves till this ’ere voyage 
is finished, an’ I’ll look after my end of the ship. 
Given over sendin’ out your call for help?” 

Ned explained how it chanced that he was in the 
wheel-house, and Zenas replied as if the wireless had 
become of but little importance : 

‘Tt’ll be all right whether that ’ere machine clicks 
or lays still, for we’ll pick up the Glendozver ’twixt 
now an’ sunset, even though we don’t hear another 
word from outsiders.” 


CHAPTER X 

ZENAS TRIUMPHS 

Even though Paul and Ned knew Zenas was only 
guessing that the Nera would pick up the Glendower 
before another sunset, and were well aware that he 
had nothing on which to base such a statement save 
the desire that it should be so, they were decidedly 
impressed by the words, perhaps because of the tri- 
umphant tone in which they had been uttered. 

It was almost as if Master Cushing could look for- 
ward into the future, and saw there the rescue of the 
baby from the tramp steamer. It surely seemed pos- 
itive he himself believed the statement just made, and 
yet the lads knew full well that Zenas was simply 
striving to put faith in the prediction even while he 
was well aware how many chances there were against 
its verification. 

Mr. Barton, who yet remained in the very eyes 
of the ship as when he took up his station after com- 
ing from below, heard the triumphant words and hur- 
ried aft, believing further news of the Glendower had 
been received. 

To Paul's surprise, he did not appear disappointed 
on learning that Zenas was simply indulging in an- 
other prediction of success; but an expression of joy 
and content overspread his face, for to him the words 
were an expression of fact rather than the voicing 
of a hope. 

'At this opportune moment the cook announced 

i8i 


THE AEROPLANE 


182 

that breakfast was served, and all save one of the 
engineer’s assistants and Zenas, went below to par- 
take of such a meal as would have given satisfaction 
even to the fastidious Mr. Sawtelle. 

There are times when those stricken with grief 
can be heartened by dainties in the way of food, 
and on this occasion every person at the table felt 
not only refreshed by the skillfully prepared break- 
fast, but had, as one might almost say, their burden 
of sorrow greatly lessened. The little company were 
in a comparatively cheerful mood when the meal 
came to an end, and then those who had been on 
duty were given opportunity to appease their hunger. 

*^Now I reckon I’m in prime condition to finish 
up this ’ere job,” Zenas announced when he returned 
from the cabin to take the wheel from Paul, who had 
been acting as helmsman. ^T must say that Mr. 
Sawtelle knew what was good for him when he 
hired sich a cook as we’ve got aboard. A breakfast 
like the one we’ve had is enough to make a cripple 
dance. What about workin’ the wireless once more 
in the hope that the Glendower may have the same 
kind of a contraption aboard ?” 

“That is what we’ve been counting on doing,” Paul 
replied. “I’ll take the first trick at the instrument, 
and Ned can stay here to spell you at the wheel.” 

“Bless your heart, lad, I don’t count on takin’ an- 
other watch below till after I’ve put this ’ere craft 
somewhere near alongside the tramp steamer, an’ 
brought Barton’s wife an’ baby aboard,” Zenas cried 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 183 

cheerily, and again the father’s eyes glistened with 
tears of joy. 

At this point the engineer came into the wheel- 
house for his morning smoke, which could not be 
indulged in below because of the danger that the 
gasoline might be ignited by a glowing coal of tobacco, 
and straightway he and Zenas set about arguing as to 
the speed of the yacht compared with that of the Glen- 
dower, the chart having been brought from Mr. Saw- 
telle’s room that they might calculate about where the 
two vessels should come together. 

Paul lingered until the two men got into a warm 
dispute as to the distance which must be run before 
the Neva's speed was checked, and then he went into 
the telegraph-room, Ned following to say laughingly: 

‘‘To hear those fellows talk, one would think there 
was no question but that we could pick up the Glen- 
dower as easily as to make Barren Island, when, as 
a matter of fact, according to my way of thinking, 
we stand a mighty small chance of finding her, even 
though we have had what might be called definite 
information regarding her whereabouts. Suppose 
she changes her course by two or three points, what 
then ?” 

“If she swung off to the westward there’d be no 
show whatever of coming across her,” Paul replied 
with a sigh. “But all this talk of being positive the 
cruise will come to an end before sunset serves to 
cheer Mr. Barton, and because of that it is well for 
them to keep it up, although what may be the result. 


184 


THE AEROPLANE 


if it chances that we are forced to put back unsuc- 
cessful, makes me tremble.’’ 

“We’ll do our full share, and then won’t need to 
blame ourselves if the cruise is a failure,” Ned re- 
plied, and Paul seated himself at the instrument 
again, repeating the call for aid a dozen times or 
more before waiting for a reply. 

So faint were the hopes of the boys as to receiving 
an answer, that they were thoroughly surprised when 
the receiver began to click, sounding so distinctly that 
they knew the sender must be reasonably near at 
hand. 

One might have counted ten before Paul recovered 
from his surprise sufficiently to send off the sad story 
of the Barton baby’s illness and the desire of the 
father to speak the tramp steamer; but when it had 
been done, and the operator on board the ship which 
had heard the appeal for help began his reply, Ned 
gave vent to a cry of mingled joy and triumph which 
must have been heard from one end of the yacht to 
the other, for it brought the engineer, the cook, and 
Mr. Barton into the telegraph-room, where they 
crowded close upon Paul to peer over his shoulder 
at the words he was writing while they were being 
sounded by the instrument. 

“Steamer Canada. Quebec to Liverpool. Spoke 
Glendower five this morning. Can yet make her out 
astern. No wireless aboard her.” 

“Talk about luck!” the engineer shouted as he ran 
into the wheel-house to quiet Zenas, who was roaring 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 185 

out questions in a tempest note that could not have 
been equaled by any save Captain Tobi. 

No one save Paul appeared to think that any reply 
was needed to this information. It seemed to be 
enough that the whereabouts of the tramp they had 
been so eager to find was known to some ship near 
at hand, and for the moment there was never a 
thought that they were no wiser than before, since 
the exact location of the Glendower had not been 
given. 

Fortunately, however, Paul had all his wits about 
him at that critical moment, and he clicked off the fol- 
lowing facts with the hope that the master of the 
Canada might suggest a way whereby it would be 
possible for them to make certain of arresting the 
Glendower in her course. 

‘Tower yacht Nera^ Boston, Sawtelle owner. No 
navigator aboard. Left Barren Island, Maine coast, 
eleven last night, running due east, twelve knots. 
Can you tell where the Glendower should be picked 
up?’* 

“Wait; I will ask the captain,” the operator of the 
Canada replied, and just then Zenas, excited beyond 
all power of controlling himself, burst into the tele- 
graph-room as he shouted: 

“Now then, what about our pickin’ up the steamer 
’twixt this an’ sunset?” 

“Do you happen to know exactly the course we 
should steer in order to come up with her before she 
gets too far to the south?” Ned asked sharply, and 


THE AEROPLANE 


1 86 

for the first time since the welcome news had been 
received, an expression of blank dismay overspread 
Master Cushing’s face. 

“We’re close aboard of her, as I take it,” he mut- 
tered, and Ned replied: 

“No one here knows exactly where the Canada 
is, and in case the captain simply gives us his lati- 
tude and longitude, who can figure it out within fifty 
or sixty miles?” 

“I’ve allers allowed that I’d study navigation; but 
never did, an’ now, when by knowin’ it, I might count 
to a certainty on savin’ the life of Barton’s baby. I’m 
no better than a shoemaker at this business,” and 
Zenas wheeled about as if he had lost all hope. 

“It so happens that Paul kept his wits about him, 
and has asked the captain of the Canada to work it 
out in such a way that a crowd of landsmen will stand 
a show of finding the steamer,” Ned added, “and we’ll 
soon ” 

“He ought’er told him how fast we’ve been runnin’. 


“Keep quiet,” Paul cried as the instrument began 
to click once more, and those who clustered around 
him could read the following as he translated the 
dots and dashes into written words : 

“Make course east by south, half south, and slow 
down eleven o’clock if steamer not in sight. The 
Canada will hold up to tell her you are coming.” 

“If the baby’s life is saved it will be through you, 
not us,” Paul replied, forcing, by an impatient gesture. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 187 

the occupants of the telegraph-room to silence, and 
once more a message came from the Canada: 

*'We will all claim a share in it,” the steamer’s 
operator answered, and Paul fancied there was a cer- 
tain ring of joy even in the click of the needle, that 
this had not only been rendered possible, but proba- 
ble. Then came the remainder of the message, 
‘‘Look out for my signal within an hour. Will tell 
if the Glendower has been spoken.” 

“Thank you,” Paul replied, and then he turned to 
face his companions, excited, happy, and at the same 
time bewildered that it had been possible, not only to 
locate a craft which had no wireless apparatus aboard, 
but to receive instructions as to how she might be 
spoken. 

“The captain of the Canada is a dandy, and I hope 
I’ll have a chance some day of telling him what I 
think!” the lad cried exultantly, turning his head 
slightly that he might not appear to see the tears which 
were streaming down Barton’s face. 

“We’ll get Mr. Sawtelle to write all that to him,” 
Ned said quickly, and then he added sharply to 
Zenas, “what about your being able to find the Glen- 
dower before sunset?” 

“What about it? Why, ’cordin’ to what the cap- 
t’in of the Canada figgers out, we’ll speak her before 
noon,” Zenas replied, failing to understand the full 
meaning of Ned’s question. 

“Yes, if we alter our course, and slow down at 
eleven o’clock; but if we hadn’t picked up the Canada 


THE AEROPLANE 


1 88 

you’d kept the yacht running due east, and by noon 
the Glendower would have been so far south of us 
that there wouldn’t have been the slightest chance we 
could overhaul her.” 

‘True for you, lad, an’ I’ve got to haul in my 
horns when it comes to savin’ the baby, ’cause I’ve 
been sich a fool as to fritter away my time in doin’ 
useless things when I might’er been studyin’ navi- 
gation. But,” Zenas added as a happy thought came 
to him, “if I hadn’t egged you lads on to startin’ the 
wireless, the Canada might have run out of bearin’ 
before you got to work.” 

“I reckon we can kind’er divide the credit up among 
all hands, countin’ in the capt’in an’ operator of the 
Canada, an’ not forgettin’ the owner of the Nera,'' 
the engineer said gravely. “It looks to me as if we’d 
been reg’larly driven by what’s called Providence, to 
do exactly as we’ve done, an’ if I was the father of 
the baby, I’d get right down on my knees when I 
wanted to give thanks, ’cause if everything hadn’t 
been worked exactly to a hair, this ’ere cruise would 
have been a failure.” 

It seemed as if Mr. Barton was even more affected 
by what was much the same as an assurance that he 
would soon be with his wife and baby, than when it 
had been more than doubtful of his being able to 
overtake them. He was leaning against the bulkhead, 
his face buried in his arm, while he trembled as if in 
an ague fit, and the cook, flinging his arm around 
the agitated man’s shoulder, said as he literally forced 
him below: 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


189 


^‘We’ll get a cup of coffee, old fellow. YouVe 
had more’n enough to shake your nerves since last 
night, an^ somethin^ warmin’ will do you a world of 
good.” 

‘‘What about alterin’ the course?” the engineer 
shouted as Mr. Barton and the cook disappeared. 
“Here’s the yacht runnin’ herself all this time as if 
we were a crowd of fishermen who didn’t care how 
their craft was headin’.” 

“Jiminy crickets! I’d clean forgot that there was 
no one at the helm,” and Zenas made all haste to 
get into the wheel-house, when the Nera's course was 
changed according to the directions given by the Can- 
ada’s captain. 

It seemed to Paul as if the little yacht actually 
dashed on in a joyful manner now that it was possible 
to count on a successful ending to the cruise, and as 
she rose on the crest of a wave, or dove into a valley 
of green water, it was almost as if she did so ex- 
ultantly, knowing that she had done her full share 
toward saving a human life. 

There no longer appeared to be any reason why 
the wireless should be worked. It was now positive 
that the Glendower was not equipped with that most 
valuable invention, and it would do no real good to 
attract the attention of those who could not aid in 
the work on hand. 

There could be no question but that the captain of 
the Canada had worked out the positions of the two 
vessels very carefully, and his information might be 
relied upon implicitly. Therefore it was that Paul 


190 


THE AEROPLANE 


said after the Nera was headed on the new course, 
and matters had settled down into something like 
monotony, if indeed any portion of such a cruise 
could be monotonous: 

needn’t do more than stand ready to receive 
the message from the Canada's operator, telling us 
whether that ship had been able to signal the Glen- 
dower, and when we get such news there will be no 
need of our staying in here.” 

“What about Mr. Sawtelle?” Ned asked. “He 
wanted to hear how we might be getting along, and 
I’m a bit curious to know if we can raise Barren 
Island from such a distance.” 

“I had entirely forgotten that we might learn how 
matters were going on at the island,” Paul said as 
a flush of shame overspread his face. “I should have 
called him up the first thing this morning ” 

Paul was interrupted by the clicking of the instru- 
ment, and he wheeled about suddenly, wondering how 
it could be possible that the Canada had been able to 
signal the Glendower so quickly, when he caught from 
the needle the word “Nera” repeated twice. 

“Mr. Sawtelle is calling us now!” he exclaimed 
as if such a possibility was something astonishing, 
and immediately answered the call. 

“Where are you? What are you doing?” came 
through the ether as clearly, thanks to the power of 
the island equipment, as if the words had been 
flashed across to Seaview. 

It was a long story Paul had to tell, and he set 
about it at once by describing the incidents of the 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


191 

night, following with the speaking of the Canada, and 
ending : 

*‘With a thorough seaman like the captain of the 
Canada to work out the positions of the two craft, 
it doesn’t seem as if we could go astray, particularly 
since those on the Glendower will know we are hunt- 
ing for her.” 

‘‘You have done wonders,” Mr. Sawtelle replied. 
“How fast have you been running since leaving 
here ?” 

“Twelve knots.” 

“Then we need not look for you before to-morrow. 
Be careful when you transship the woman and the 
baby, and carry them to Seaview before heading for 
the island. My congratulations; I knew you boys 
and Zenas would do the work if it was within the 
range of possibilities.” 

“Ask him if they have seen or heard anything of 
John Ed,” Ned cried when Paul wheeled around in 
his chair as if communication with Barren Island 
was at an end, and the lad seized the telegraph key 
once more, flashing across the waters his desire for 
information as to how the aeroplane builders were 
progressing. 

“Everything quiet here,” came the reply.. “No 
signs of the smuggler. Are shaping the rudder 
to-day. Count on having the machine assembled by 
the time you return. Good-by.” 

“Now it only remains to hear from the Canada 
that the Glendower knows we are looking for her, 
and that which yesterday appeared impossible, will 


192 


THE AEROPLANE 


be much the same as accomplished,” Paul said as he 
turned once more to face Ned, who muttered half to 
himself : 

“Even now, when it looks as if everything was 
working our way, it doesn’t seem reasonable to 
believe that we could have done so much.” 

“Go out and tell Zenas the news from the island, 
and by the time he gets through shouting you’ll be 
convinced that it is all true,” Paul said laughingly, 
and a few seconds after Ned had acted upon the 
suggestion. Master Cushing’s voice could be heard 
raised in a loud cry of triumph. 

By this time Mr. Barton had come from below, 
in a partially rational frame of mind once more, and 
again he took up his station in the bow of the 
yacht. Now, however, he was of real service in such 
position, for it was of the highest importance that a 
sharp lookout be kept. 

Zenas had literally bellowed the command that 
everyone, not otherwise engaged, remain on deck 
to watch for the steamer, since it was not impossible 
the captain of the Canada might have set the proba- 
ble time of meeting a few moments later than it would 
really occur, and within the hour Paul received a 
message from the friendly operator: 

“Have hailed the Glendower. She will look out 
for you. Let her crew do the transshipping unless 
you have a lifeboat aboard.” 

“We have nothing save a small tender such as 
yachts usually carry,” Paul replied, and then read 
from the busy needle : 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


193 

‘‘Our captain says lay to leeward of her, and let 
them board you/’ 

“Some day we will try to tell you what a favor you 
have done us,” Paul telegraphed, and promptly the 
reply came back : 

“We are working to save the baby, as are you. Let 
us hope it will be done.” 

“I shall try to catch you once more when it is 
accomplished.” 

“Thank you. Good-by,” came from the steamer 
which was now probably steaming swiftly on her 
course, the work of mercy having been performed, 
and Paul went out on deck feeling satisfied that he 
could be of no further service at the instrument. 

Now there was nothing to be done save keep* care- 
ful watch, and, from the temporary captain to the 
cook, everyone on board took part in this work. 
Even those whose duty it was to care for the 
motors, ran on deck from time to time to gaze anx- 
iously out over the heaving waters, and certain it 
was that if the Glendower came within range of the 
marine glasses aboard the Neva, she would not escape 
notice. 

Steadily the little craft plowed her way across 
the billows, care being taken that she should maintain 
the speed of twelve knots, and as the time predicted 
for the meeting of the two vessels approached, great 
was the suppressed excitement on board the yacht. 

Mr. Barton, now with every reason to believe he 
would soon see his wife and baby, overhung the bow 
straining his eyes to detect the first faint line of 


194 


THE AEROPLANE 


smoke on the horizon. Paul, in the wheel-house 
with Mr. Sawtelle’s glasses to his eyes, was sweeping 
the broad expanse of waters with an anxiety that 
betrayed itself in the trembling of his hands, which 
now and then became so pronounced he was forced to, 
lean against the window-casing to hold the binocular 
steady. 

The engineer stood amidships with his glasses, 
swaying with every motion of the yacht as he kept his 
gaze fastened on the horizon directly under the 
Neva's bow, and at the helm Zenas glanced alternately 
at the compass needle and the sky line. 

As seemed to the anxious ones most fitting, it was 
Mr. Barton who first called attention to a faint 
smudge against the eastern sky, by asking hoarsely 
as he pointed with tremulous finger: 

''Don’t that look like smoke?” 

"It is! It is!” Paul cried excitedly as he leveled 
the glasses in the direction indicated. "Hurrah, 
boys! There’s the Glendower, and we’ve found her 
when there didn’t seem to be the least little show of 
our turning the trick !” 

"Thank God!” the engineer cried fervently, and at 
the same instant Barton sank to his knees as if he 
was pouring out his soul in gratitude to Him who 
holdeth the waters in the hollow of His hand. 

Twenty-four hours later neither Paul nor Ned 
could have told what they said or did at this time 
when the search had much the same as come to an 
end. There was no doubt in the mind of any but 
that yonder smoke came from the stacks of the Glen- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


195 


dourer^ and the little Nera was sent ahead at racing 
speed until the hull of the tramp could plainly be 
seen by the naked eye, when everyone knew the goal 
had been won. 

Now it was that Paul repeated the advice given by 
the Canada's captain, and Zenas turned the yacht to 
leeward at the instant the big steamer’s propellers 
ceased working, as she lay motionless waiting for 
those who would do all in their power to save the 
baby’s life. 

There was no more than an ordinary breeze blow- 
ing, therefore Zenas deemed it safe to run the Nera 
within easy hailing distance to leeward, and his first 
words were: 

“How is the baby?” 

“Alive, and with a good show of living if it can be 
got ashore. We’d put in to Halifax but for the fact 
that our insurance would be canceled if we made port 
except through stress of weather.” 

“If I’d been the captain of that tramp the insurance 
might go hang, but that I’d have put the baby ashore,” 
Zenas muttered, and Paul added soothingly: 

“A man’s first care must be for his own, and you 
can’t tell what you would do, until knowing all the cir- 
cumstances that prompted the Glendower's master to 
continue the voyage even after believing the child 
must die.” 

There was no opportunity for Zenas to reply, how- 
ever much he might have had in mind bearing on 
the subject, for at this moment the captain of the 
tramp steamer shouted: 


196 


THE AEROPLANE 


“What kind of a boat have you 

“Nothin^ but sich a tender as yachts generally 
carry. The master of the Canada advised us to have 
you send the woman an^ baby aboard in one of your 
boats/' Master Cushing shouted gruffly, as if almost 
fancying such a request would be refused; but the 
reply came quickly: 

“Keep your screw turning to hold the yacht steady, 
and we'll have them aboard in short order." 

Almost instantly the watchers on the Nera saw the 
Glendower's crew breaking out one of the lifeboats, 
and Paul could almost have believed that Barton did 
not breathe until his loved ones were alongside, the 
mother holding her baby wrapped in many a blanket 
and shawl, while she looked at her husband as if in 
perfect content now that he was near at hand to 
share her sorrow and anxiety. 

Until the lifeboat was to leeward of the Nera, 
rising and falling like a cork on the heavy seas, Zenas 
had not considered the danger that might attend the 
transshipment of the passengers. The yacht was not 
equipped for such work, and it became a most serious 
problem to get the helpless ones aboard. 

“Can’t you send down a chair on a whip?" the 
cockswain of the boat shouted as the crew of the 
Nera gazed over the rail helplessly, and but for the 
engineer the temporary captain might have declared 
that there was no such thing aboard. 

“I've got one of them foldin’ arm-chairs that’ll do 
the trick. Rig your tackle, an' I’ll have it here in a 
jiffy.” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


197 


Paul and Ned knew how to swing the whip in such 
fashion that it could be used to advantage, and by 
the time the engineer gained the deck again, every- 
thing was ready for the venture. 

The crew of the lifeboat lashed Mrs. Barton into 
the folding chair, she holding the baby, as a matter 
of course, and then, with a line made fast to prevent 
the burden from striking too heavily against the side 
of the Nera, came the hoarse command from the 
lifeboat : 

“Hoist away smartly, an’ stand by to let go before 
your craft rolls to windward I” 

With the exception of Mr. Barton, who stood by 
the port rail waiting with bated breath to clasp his 
loved ones to his heart, every member of the Neva's 
crew tailed on to the tackle, and in a twinkling the 
chair with its precious burden was swinging over the 
deck. 

“Let go lively!” came from the lifeboat, and as 
the chair was lowered. Barton had his wife in his 
arms. 

“All right up there?” the cockswain of the Glen- 
dower's boat cried, and Zenas replied with an odd 
quaver in his voice, for the sight of those two who 
were united after it had seemed certain they could 
not meet this side of New Orleans, affected him 
deeply : 

“All right, my hearty! It seems like as if we’d 
succeeded in doin’ somethin’ that wasn’t down in the 
books, an’ that’s a fact!” 

“You’ve had great luck, aiT we on the Glendower 


198 


THE AEROPLANE 


are mighty glad the poor woman has been able to go 
ashore.” 

“Well, so long to yer!” and Zenas’s voice rang 
out loud and triumphant. “I reckon you don’t want 
to keep the Glendower waitin’, an’ it stands us in 
hand to get the baby ashore as soon as it can be done.” 

“So long, an’ may you find a helpin’ hand same’s 
you’ve shown, if so be you get inter the same trouble 
that came to the father of the baby,” the sailor 
shouted as the painter of the lifeboat was cast off 
and the oarsman pulled toward their steamer. 

But for the cook, the Barton family might have 
remained on deck uncared for during all this time. 
He, however, eager to be of some material assist- 
ance, had led the father and mother below to Mr. 
Sawtelle’s cabin, where he strove to minister to the 
sorrowing, and at the same time joyful, woman with 
the aid of hot tea, when the Nera^ her work nobly 
done, was swung around on that course which her 
temporary captain believed would bring her within 
sight of Barren Island once more. 

“I ain’t enough of a navigator to be certain of 
strikin’ Seaview at the first go off; but I’m allowin’ 
we’ll make Barren Island, an’ once we get that as a 
landmark I can run her inter port in a way that’ll 
make Captain Tobi’s eyes stick out,” Zenas said to 
Paul as the lad stood by his side while the yacht was 
being headed for the mainland. “What about tryin’ 
to get Mr. Sawtelle, so’s to tell him what a big thing 
we’ve done? When silver fox farmers can pick up 
a tramp steamer two or three hundred miles at sea„ 



"LET GO LIVELY!” CAME FROM THE LIFEBOAT, 




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AT SILVER FOX FARM 


199 

without turnin’ a hair, it’s somethin’ to crow about, 
’cordin’ to my way of thinkin’.” 

Therefore it was that while the Nera was on the 
first leg of her homeward-bound voyage, Paul tele- 
graphed, after spending nearly half an hour in calling 
the island station: 

“Mother and baby aboard. Are making for Sea- 
view.” 

“Good work,” was the approving reply. “I knew 
you lads and Zenas could do the trick if it was within 
the range of possibilities; but had no hope it might 
be turned. Work on the aeroplane going ahead in 
great shape. Shall be ready for first trial by time 
you arrive. Call me up when you make Seaview.” 

“What about Bingham?” Paul asked, and, now 
that the rescue had been effected, the only care in 
his mind was regarding what the old smuggler might 
be able to do against those on Barren Island. 

“He hasn’t shown himself as yet. Reckon he 
understands that he can’t hope to work further mis- 
chief. Don’t worry. Your next voyage shall be 
through the air to the mainland. Good-by.” 

“It won’t be in any such fashion while I’m a free 
agent,” Paul muttered as he arose to report to the 
temporary captain the information which had been 
gained. 

Mr. Barton was no longer to be seen when Paul 
came out of the telegraph-room. All that the world 
held dear to him was in the cabin of the Nera, and 
there, as a matter of course, he remained. 

“I reckon the baby isn’t as sick as she was,” Zenas 


200 


THE AEROPLANE 


said when Paul asked regarding the little one. ‘Ter- 
haps the mother got fussy, an’ made things out worse 
than they really were; but all the same, it don’t take 
any credit away from us, lad, for I count that we’ve 
done a mighty big thing since leavin’ Barren Island.” 

^There’s no doubt of that, Zenas; but we won’t 
crow too loud, for we’ve been helped in such a won- 
derful way that I feel as if we have no right to brag 
about it very much.” 

''All the same, that’s exactly what I’m goin’ to do,” 
was the emphatic reply. "When I pick up a ship 
at sea without any information that could be de- 
pended upon to go an’ come on, I shall howl mighty 
loud that what we’ve done goes way ahead of wire- 
less telegraphy or air-ships.” 

"And if it hadn’t been for both you wouldn’t have 
succeeded,” Paul replied laughingly. 

"How do you make that out? What have air-ships 
to do with this ’ere job?” 

"If Mr. Sawtelle hadn’t decided on building one, 
the Nera wouldn’t have been at Barren Island. If 
we hadn’t been aboard of her, it would have been 
impossible to pick up the Canada. If we hadn’t 
found her we couldn’t have held the Glendower up, 
and so, you see, we needed the whole combination, 
with some power far above this earth, to bring the 
whole together.” 

"Have it your way, lad,” Zenas said, now speaking 
in a milder tone as if more than half convinced that 
Paul was in the right. "I’ll allow it’s much as you 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


201 


put it; but at the same time I’m goin’ to do a pile 
of crowin’ once I get ashore.” 

‘‘And you have the right, Zenas, for I verily be- 
lieve that if you hadn’t been so positive we would 
succeed, this yacht might have turned back without 
having gone far enough to pick up the Canada. 
Don’t it strike you that some of us ought to know 
how the Barton family are coming on?” 

“I reckon we can trust the cook for that part of 
it,” was the careless reply. “All I want to know is 
that the baby’s alive when we send her ashore at 
Seaview, for then our part of the job will have been 
done shipshape, Bristol fashion.” 


CHAPTER XI 

DASTARDLY WORK 

Both Paul and Ned were eager to get some word 
as to the health of the baby, but hardly daring to 
venture into the cabin while Mrs. Barton held pos- 
session lest inadvertently they disturb the little one, 
there was nothing to be done save wait until the cook 
came on deck, for it was known that he was aiding 
the mother and father in the effort to make the child 
comfortable. 

“Well, it strikes me that the Nera has come some- 
where near squarin’ accounts with the Hampton 
boat!” the engineer exclaimed in a tone of triumph 
as he came on deck while the boys were loitering 
around the cabin companion-way in the hope of being 
able to signal the cook. “It’s true she hasn’t helped 
save a craft from founderin’ ; but the little steamer 
has done everything possible to preserve the life of a 
baby, which is a bigger job.” 

“So you’re giving all the credit to the Neraf Ned 
cried laughingly, and the engineer replied gravely: 

“Indeed I’m not, lad; but it pleases me to think 
that she’s had some part in a life-savin’ job. It 
looks as if all hands of us might rightfully do con- 
siderable crowing over what has been accomplished, 
for it’s a work of which a man can feel proud.” 

“That’s what it is!” a voice from the companion- 
way cried emphatically, and Mr. Barton appeared, 
looking excited and happy. “I have been trying to 
202 


THE AEROPLANE 


203 


figure out what it is possible to say in order to make 
you understand how much my wife and I owe you 
who are on board here, and the owner of this yacht, 
because of what has been done in our behalf.’^ 

“Don’t try to do it, old man,” the engineer said as 
he laid a greasy hand on the father’s shoulder. “I’ve 
got babies of my own, an’ know somethin’ of what 
is in your mind. These lads may not understand 
quite all the meaning of what has been done; but 
they can guess mighty near, which is enough without 
words of yours. How’s the child?” 

“Very ill; but we’re hoping to see a change for the 
better as soon as we get on shore. My wife believes 
that a goodly portion of the trouble was caused by sea- 
sickness. The Glendower rolled like a tub, she says, 
and every time the tramp wallowed in a seaway the 
baby would cry out as if in pain. The dear little 
thing appears to be more comfortable already, for 
this yacht, small though she is, rides the waves 
steadily.” 

“We’ll soon have you on the mainland, Mr. Bar- 
ton. Except in event of an accident, the speed won’t 
be slackened until after we’ve put you ashore at Sea- 
view,” the engineer added as he turned to go into 
the wheel-house. “I reckon we’re makin’ a good 
twelve knots, an’ while the fuel holds out there’s no 
reason why we can’t keep the pace without any 
trouble.” 

Then the boys were left alone with Mr. Barton, 
who strove so hard to give words to his gratitude 
that the interview was really painful to the lads who 


204 


THE AEROPLANE 


were unable to make what they deemed a fitting 
reply, or to give a different turn to the conversation. 

It was a real relief to the boys when the cook ap- 
peared, having come to say to Mr. Barton that his 
wife wanted to see him, and when the happy father 
had hurriedly obeyed the summons, Paul asked again 
regarding the condition of the baby. 

'T don’t know very much about children,” was the 
reply; ‘‘but I’d be willing to guarantee that the little 
one will pick up right fast now she’s on board a 
decent ship. I reckon there’s no question but that 
more than half the trouble was caused by seasick- 
ness, and it’s pretty near certain the baby would have 
died if she’d been forced to stay aboard the tramp. 
I’ve made fresh coffee, and you boys better get your 
share before this captain of ours starts in on it. 
Zenas is a master hand at getting away with coffee 
when he puts his whole mind to the business.” 

Paul and Ned took advantage of the opportunity, 
making their way on tiptoe through the cabin to the 
cook’s quarters, and when they went on deck once 
more Zenas was ringing the pantry bell vigorously, 
as token of his desire to be served with a liberal supply 
of the refreshing beverage. 

‘‘Now’s the time when Mr. Sawtelle ought’er have 
one of his flyin’ machines out here to give us a race,” 
the temporary captain said with a grin as the boys 
entered the wheel-house. “Even if such things can 
be built so’s they’ll work ’cordin’ to all the yarns 
he’s told, I won’t believe they could make any better 
time than our little Nera is showin’ this blessed min- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


205 


ute. Ain’t she just liftin’ herself? Talk ’bout aero- 
planes an’ air-ships ! I’d rather have this little beauty 
under my feet than a whole fleet of sich machines 
as he can build on Barren Island.” 

‘‘Wait until you see what his craft will do,” Paul 
suggested laughingly. “He telegraphed that it would 
be ready for launching by the time we got back, and 
possibly you’ll soon come to believe that sailing 
through the air goes way ahead of water naviga- 
tion.” 

“I’ll be bald-headed when I do,” was the decided 
reply, and then the conversation was cut short by 
the arrival of the cook with a pot of steaming coffee. 

There is no good reason why any attempt should 
be made to repeat all that was said by the crew of 
the Neva, as she sped swiftly toward the port which 
Zenas believed it would be possible to make by dead 
reckoning. The weather was all that could have been 
desired for such a craft as the yacht, and, as the engi- 
neer had said, the pace was not slackened until she 
had much the same as arrived in port. 

It might readily have been seen that Zenas was 
considerably disturbed in mind before they made 
land. He was running the little craft by guesswork, 
and knew only too well that there were many chances 
of her being wrecked through his ignorance of the 
true course. 

Then came the moment, near midnight, when he 
shouted to Paul, who was asleep on the wheel-house 
locker : 

“Turn out, lad, an’ have a squint at Barren Island, 


206 


THE AEROPLANE 


if so be you’re pinin’ for any sich sight! I may not 
know overly much ’bout navigation ; but when it 
comes to makin’ a guess at a course, it’s hard to beat 
me. 

'‘How do you know that is Barren Island?” Paul 
asked sleepily as he strained his eyes to make out 
in the gloom a dark mass, far away in the distance. 
'Tt doesn’t look like anything more than a black cloud 
on the horizon.” 

'Tf this ’ere craft was headed straight for it, an’ 
the screw kept turnin’ as it’s doin’ now, you’d soon 
come to have a mighty good idee that it was more’n 
a cloud. How do I know that yonder is Barren 
Island? ’Cause I can see the shape of the land, an’ 
half an hour from now I’m allowin’ you’ll be able 
to make out the hotel and your wireless contraption. 
Talk ’bout dead reckonin’! It comes pretty nigh 
beatin’ reg’lar navigation, an’ I’ve proved it. The 
engineer has been runnin’ back an’ forth all night 
askin’ if I was certain of the course, an’ predictin’ 
that we’d pile the Neva on the rocks, till I told him 
plainly that there’d be trouble if he come ’round here 
agin till after we’d made port. The truth is, he 
said so much ’bout what might happen that he got 
me all heated up, an’ one spell I almost began to be- 
lieve we might be goin’ wrong. What about gettin’ 
the island by wireless?” 

"Mr. Sawtelle wouldn’t be awake at this hour of the 
night, therefore it would be useless to work the in- 
strument. It will be time enough when we get into 
Seaview ” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


207 


Zenas started as if suddenly remembering some 
neglect of duty, and rang the motor-room bell vigor- 
ously. 

^‘What’s the matter now?” Paul asked in surprise. 

‘Tt wonh do to make any bluff at runnin’ inter 
Seaview in the night, for I’m needin’ a sight of the 
landmarks to keep away from Higgins’ shoal,” Zenas 
said hurriedly, and then, getting a reply from the 
motor-room, he added through the telephone, *‘We’re 
off Barren Island, an’ you’d better reduce the speed, 
for I ain’t anyways anxious to run inter port till after 
daylight.” 

“Sure you’ve made the island?” the engineer asked, 
and Master Cushing replied sharply: 

“Look here, don’t forget that I’m runnin’ this ’ere 
yacht, an’ while we’re at sea you’ll believe every 
blessed thing I tell you, or we’ll have a heap of 
trouble.” 

Paul expected to hear some intemperate answer, 
for surely the engineer was well within his rights 
when he questioned the seamanship of an amateur 
who was running the yacht by guesswork; but none 
came, and a moment later it was possible to tell, from 
the motion of the little craft, that the speed had been 
reduced. 

“I’m allowin’ to get inter port jest ’bout daybreak, 
an’ seein’s there’ll be nothin’ for you to do ’twixt 
now an’ then, s’posen you go below an’ turn in, so’s 
to be bright an’ smilin’ in the mornin’?” 

“But someone must be here to spell you.” 

“I’ll stay right at this ’ere wheel till we let go the 


208 


THE AEROPLANE 


anchor in Barren Island harbor, an’ there ain’t a man 
aboard as can drive me away,” Zenas replied hotly. 
‘'After doin’ up the life-savin’ work same’s it has 
been done, I count on holdin’ my job as captain till 
Mr. Sawtelle comes on deck.” 

Paul knew full well that it would be useless to 
make any attempt at arguing with Zenas, therefore 
he went below as had been suggested, and the next 
definite knowledge he had regarding the yacht’s 
movements, was when the dropping of the anchor in 
Seaview harbor awakened him. 

Hurriedly arousing Ned, Paul ran on deck to find 
Mr. Barton, and his wife, who held the baby in her 
arms, making ready to go on shore. The sun was 
just rising, and the engineer’s assistants were low- 
ering the tender as if it was highly important the 
passengers be sent off without delay. 

“What has gone wrong?” Paul asked of Zenas in 
surprise. 

“Nothin’. Mr. Barton wants to get ashore as 
soon as possible, an’ I allowed we’d help him along 
the best we knew how.” 

“But I didn’t intend to leave without speaking once 
more to you two lads who have done so much toward 
helping me out of my troubles,” the man said quickly 
as he took Paul by the hand, and the latter, fearing 
lest he was to be overwhelmed with words of grati- 
tude once more, asked : 

“How is the baby?” 

“She has been resting quietly since midnight, and 
I truly believe the dear one will be well as soon as 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


209 


we are ashore/’ Mrs. Barton said as she turned aside 
the blanket wrappings to show a tiny pinched, wan 
face. ‘'Some day my husband and I will try to ” 

“Please don’t say anything about that part of it,” 
Paul interrupted nervously. “All hands of us are 
mighty glad we had a chance to help you along, and 
the satisfatcion of having accomplished what we set 
out to do is enough.” 

“That is it!” Zenas cried emphatically, and then, 
as if understanding that Paul desired to escape any 
demonstrations of gratitude, he shouted loudly, 
“Bear a hand, Mr. Barton; the boat is ready.” 

The passengers went over the rail just as Ned came 
on deck, and, once in the boat, were rowed swiftly 
to the shore, the crew of the Nera watching until they 
stepped on the dock, when Zenas said to Paul : 

“That job is done, an’ now I reckon we’d better 
get under way, eh?” 

“I must let Mr. Sawtelle know that we’re here.” 

“You can tell him, after we’re under way, that we 
struck Seaview right side up an’ are headin’ for 
Barren Island.” 

“The orders were to telegraph from here, and that 
is what must be done. It may be he’ll want us to 
bring over something, and we needn’t be afraid of 
loitering a few minutes.” 

“Jest as you say,” Zenas replied with an air of dis- 
satisfaction; “but I don’t want to loaf around this 
harbor very long, ’cause things have been goin’ so 
smooth that it stands us in hand to get back to the 
island before they take a turn the other way.” 


210 


THE AEROPLANE 


Paul was not the only one who laughed at Zenas^s 
superstitious fears, yet at the same time he set about 
calling the island at once, and, as was soon shown, 
all had good reason for congratulating themselves 
that the matter was not delayed until after leaving 
port. 

Mr. Sawtelle answered the call so quickly that it 
was reasonable to believe he had been waiting in the 
telegraph-room, and when Paul explained that the 
Barton family had been sent ashore, with the baby 
in seemingly a fair way of recovery, the owner of 
the Nera telegraphed a long list of supplies which 
were needed on the island, adding in conclusion : 

'Take plenty of time, and put everything aboard. 
There is no good reason why you should be in haste 
to get back, for everything is going smoothly here. 
At sunrise to-morrow, if the weather permits, I count 
on trying out the aeroplane.” 

"Is it finished?” Paul asked in surprise. 

"All done. I am strengthening a part here, or 
tuning up there ; but the machine is, as I believe, ready 
for a voyage, and you will be on hand to see the first 
flight.” 

"We’ll be there to fish him out’er the water after 
he’s been dropped in by that blessed contraption,” 
Zenas said contemptuously as he read that which Paul 
had written. "The idea of his wantin’ to take 
chances in the air when he owns sich a craft as this 
’ere Nera, beats me!” 

Paul did not believe it necessary to spend time 
discussing Mr. Sawtelle’s scheme. There was no 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


2II 


slight amount of work to be done if the supplies were 
to be put on board the yacht, therefore he and Ned 
went on shore at once, Master Cushing ill-naturedly 
refusing to accompany them. 

The shopkeepers of Seaview do not believe in 
making undue haste while waiting upon a customer, 
therefore the task set the boys was a long one. The 
news of what had been done was already spread 
about in the village, and no man would serve them 
until after they had related all the details of find- 
ing the Glendower and taking from her the Barton 
baby. 

As a matter of course, this story-telling consumed 
very much time, and when the boys returned to the 
yacht to wait until their purchases, which were bulky, 
should be sent down in drays, Zenas was in a fine 
state of impatience. 

‘‘Why didn’t you haul the yacht out on the dry 
dock, an’ stay here the rest of the season?” he asked 
simply. “I s’pose now we’ll hang ’round till sunset 
before Mansfield gets that wooden boss of his har- 
nessed, an’ then there’s no tellin’ whether the beast 
will agree to pull a load.” 

“I know of no good reason why you should get 
so excited about it,” Ned cried laughingly. “There’s 
nothing to be done on the island, now that the aero- 
plane is finished, and you may as well loaf here as 
there.” 

“I don’t allow it would make much difference to 
you if the yacht dropped to pieces,” Zenas retorted 
angrily, and Ned asked in surprise: 


212 


THE AEROPLANE 


“Do you think there is danger aiwthing of the 
kind may happen?” 

“I want to get back an’ be reg’larly'' discharged as 
capt’in before this ’ere streak of luck breaks, as it’s 
bound to do before long,” Zenas litera.ly roared. “I 
never saw things run smooth, but tha: there come a 
sharp turn before a feller got through pattin’ himself 
on the head.” 

“Now don’t be foolish, Cushing,” the engineer 
cried. “We’ve finished our job in good shape, an’ 
unless you contrive to run the Nera ashore when we 
enter Barren Island harbor, there’s nothin’ to be 
feared. I’ll answer for it that the motor don’t go 
wrong ’twixt here and there.” 

“It’s all very well to say you’ll do this or that; 
but there’s no man livin’ who can tell what’ll happen, 
an’ I know sich luck as ours is bound to break mighty 
soon.” 

“Ahoy on the yacht !” came in a trumpet note from 
the shore, and, looking up quickly. Master Cushing 
saw Captain Tobi standing on the pier waving his 
hand as if to say that a boat should be sent ashore 
for him. 

“There, now what about the luck’s breaking?” 
Zenas muttered savagely. “I never run across that 
old pirate but somethin’ went wrong, an’ we’re in for 
it.” 

“Ahoy,” Paul replied to the hail. “What can we 
do for you?” 

“Seen anythin’ of John Ed?” the old sailor shouted. 

“We have been out to sea where there wasn’t any 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


213 


chance of coming across him/’ the lad replied with a 
laugh. ^'Heard from Mr. Sawtelle this morning, 
and he reports everything as being all right on the 
island, so I reckon we can count that he has given 
over trying to make trouble.” 

‘"Given over!” Captain Tobi roared. “That’s 
somethin’ he won’t do till he’s in his grave, an’ I 
ain’t certain but he can contrive to stir things up a 
bit even then! I don’t care what Sawtelle may say, 
I’m tellin’ you that he’s hoverin’ ’round that ’ere fox 
farm of your father’s this very minute.” 

“How do you know?” Zenas shouted as if in 
anger. 

“ ’Cause he was goin’ that way yesterday, an’ I’ll 
answer for it he wasn’t bound on startin’ any Sunday 
school. Why don’t you come ashore an’ take me 
aboard ?” 

“Our tender wasn’t built for sich heavy weight 
as you tote ’round,” Master Cushing replied gruffly. 
“If you’re wantin’ to come out here, the best way is 
to get aboard one of them ’ere dories.” 

“You allers was an impudent dog, Zenas Cushing,” 
the old man roared in a voice sufficiently strong to 
have been heard from one end of the village to the 
other, and then he turned as if in anger, rolling away 
in the direction of Mansfield’s shop. 

“Now he’s goin’ to tell Uncle Billy what he has 
dreamed ’bout John Ed Bingham, an’ by the time the 
two of ’em get through talkin’ the matter over, it’ll 
be nightfall, with the stores yet on shore,” Zenas 
grumbled, and Ned whispered to his comrade: 


214 


THE AEROPLANE 


‘^Dont you think we should telegraph to Mr. Saw- 
telle what Captain Tobi said about John Ed?’’ 

‘T can’t believe there is any real need of it ; but since 
we’ve nothin’ else to do, perhaps it will be as well, 
and then, if anything should go wrong, we won’t 
be blamed for holding our tongues.” 

TheI?^Paul and Ned went into the telegraph-room, 
and afw working at the instrument nearly half an 
hour, succeeded in getting a reply from the island. 

"‘Are you still at Seaview?” Mr. Sawtelle asked as 
if in surprise, and Paul was forced to explain why 
they were delayed, after which he repeated Captain 
Tobi’s words, and the boys could fancy that the 
owner of the Neva was laughing in derision as he 
clicked off the words: 

“The captain will continue to see the smuggler in 
every bush until he has received the amount due on 
the sale of his sloop. There is no sign of Bingham 
around here, and I will answer for it he can’t get 
ashore without my knowledge.” 

“That settles it,” Paul said as he switched off the, 
receiver after getting “good-by” from the station on 
the island. “They are taking every precaution 
against visitors, and it isn’t reasonable to suppose, 
no matter what Captain Tobi may say, that John Ed 
will venture his nose in the vicinity after having tried 
to scuttle the yacht. Such a piece of work is suffi- 
cient to warrant his arrest whenever he can be cap- 
tured, and he won’t run the risk of serving another 
term in prison.” 

“You can’t make Zenas believe anything of the 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


215 


kind/’ Ned replied carelessly. “He has made up his 
mind that what he calls ‘our luck’ is bound to turn 
mighty soon, and had proof of it when Captain Tobi 
hailed.” 

The boys were yet in the telegraph-room when Mr. 
Mansfield’s heavily-laden dray appeared on the wharf, 
and Master Cushing summoned all hands to assist 
in taking the goods on board. ? 

Two hours later the Neva was got under way while 
Captain Tobi stood on the pier alternately roaring 
commands to Zenas, which were not obeyed, and 
warning the entire crew to “have an eye out on John 
Ed,” until Master Cushing muttered savagely, taking 
very good care, however, not to speak sufficiently 
loud to be heard by the subject of his remarks: 

“If that old idjut don’t shut his mouth I’ll give him 
a good big piece of my mind. Anybody would think 
he believed no one but him ever saw a vessel, an’ yet 
if I can’t get this ’ere craft under way in better shape 
than he could, even with all his noise. I’ll agree to 
go over the rail with an hundred-pound weight tied 
to my feet.” 

“Don’t get nervous,” Ned whispered, at the same 
time striving to choke back his mirth, for it was in- 
deed comical to see the old captain striding to and 
fro on the pier while Zenas literally quivered with 
impatience and anger. 

“It’s all very well to say ‘don’t get nervous’; but 
how’s a feller to help it while that old image stands 
there makin’ a bloomin’ fool of himself?” 

It was well that the yacht got in motion quickly. 


2i6 


THE AEROPLANE 


else the temporary captain might have had an attack 
of nervous prostration, and the last heard of the old 
sailor was his warning, repeated in tempest tones, to 
beware of John Ed Bingham. 

‘'We’ll have dead bad luck from this out,’’ Zenas 
said in a tone of conviction when the N era was so far 
from the shore that Captain Tobi’s voice could no 
longer be heard. “It’ll be a reg’lar blessin’ if we 
make Barren Island harbor without a breakdown 
of some kind.” 

Paul and Ned, who saw nothing save that which 
was comical in these fears of Master Cushing’s, lit- 
erally roared with laughter when he spoke so de- 
cidedly of the unknown dangers the future had in 
store for them, and their mirth was not well calcu- 
lated to soothe the angry man. 

He took refuge, as it were, in a fit of the sulks, and 
from that moment until the Neva glided like a swan 
into the island cove, he spoke never a word, although 
the lads tried again and again to entice him into con- 
versation. 

“Well, we haven’t broken down yet,” Ned cried 
cheerily when Zenas gave the word for someone to 
stand by the anchor, and Master Cushing replied, still 
suffering from an attack of the sulks: 

“There’s an old sayin’ that it ain’t well to call a 
day fair till the sun has set, an’ I reckon you’d better 
not begin to crow too soon.” 

“It’s enough for me that we are back here safe and 
sound after having accomplished all for which we set 
out,” Paul cried as he swung the accommodation 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


217 


ladder over the rail, and made ready to go ashore, 
where could be seen the owners of the island coming 
down on the beach to greet them. 

‘‘You have done good work,’’ Mr. Sawtelle said 
approvingly as the boys approached him, “and we 
mustn’t forget that Zenas is entitled to a fair share 
of the credit, for it is no slight task to run two hun- 
dred miles or more out to sea, and make the home 
port readily.” 

Mr. Simpson clasped his son’s hand, and Paul could 
read in his father’s eyes a certain joy and satisfac- 
tion because the lad had contributed his share toward 
the saving of the baby. 

Then it was that Ned laughingly told of Zenas’s 
forebodings, and his anger against Captain Tobi, 
whereupon Mr. Sawtelle said carelessly: 

“Those two and the Downs family will never get 
over their fears as to what the old smuggler may be 
able to do against them. After working his last bit 
of mischief, he won’t be so foolish as to pay another 
visit to this island while we are on it.” 

“And the aeroplane is finished?” Paul cried, turn- 
ing from his father to face the owner of the Nera. 

“Yes, lad, to my mind it has been completed. I 
have been over every stay and bar carefully, and can 
find nothing which may be improved upon.” 

“I suppose we may go into the tent and look at her ?” 
Ned said questioningly, and Mr. Sawtelle replied with 
a smile: 

“Better wait until morning, when you can see it 
in motion. We have closed the tent, leaving Sam 


2i8 


THE AEROPLANE 


Downs outside as guard to prevent anyone from en- 
tering. Of course there’s no reason why you 
shouldn’t look at the craft; but I want to give you 
a surprise in the morning.” 

^‘And you really intend to go up in it?” Ned asked. 

“Certainly, my lad. I’ve worked such craft, and 
have no question as to my ability to handle her. How- 
ever, to guard against possible accidents, we’ll send 
you lads off-shore in the Hampton boat, while Zenas 
handles the Nera, and then, in case I should have a 
fall, one or the other of you will be on hand to give 
me a lift.” 

Then Mr. Sawtelle proposed that they go on board 
the yacht, he professing to be eager for a meal pre- 
pared by the N era’s cook, and the boys could do no 
less than follow him, although they were eager to see 
the finished aeroplane. 

Zenas did not recover from his fit of the sulks until 
after both the owners of the island had congratulated 
him on the work just performed, and then he “thawed 
out” as Paul expressed it, very slowly. 

It was only natural he should refer to Captain 
Tobi’s warning, as had the boys; but Mr. Sawtelle 
was so positive no harm could be done by John Ed, 
that he was forced to seemingly dismiss the matter 
from his mind. 

That evening the cook prepared a veritable feast 
in celebration of what had been done in behalf of the 
Barton family, and during the meal Mr. Sawtelle 
was as merry as any boy, predicting wonderful 
things when he had his fleet of aeroplanes built, with 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


219 

everyone present instructed in the art of sailing 
them. 

It is impossible to say -whether Zenas gave over 
fearing that their 'duck’' would turn in the near future, 
for he did not mention the subject again that even- 
ing, and appeared to be in a very jolly mood when he 
retired to get the sleep which was so sadly needed. 

Perhaps no one, with the exception of the Neva's 
owner, was more excited over the coming trial of the 
aeroplane than Paul. He could not but believe all 
Mr. Sawtelle had told relative to airships which might 
be sailed as are vessels on the water, and now that 
this particular craft was ready for the initial flight — ■ 
or failure — he was able to think of nothing else. 

Until a very late hour he discussed the matter with 
Ned, when the latter fell asleep, and then he, too, 
wandered off into Dreamland, to be awakened shortly 
after sunrise by the cheery cry from Mr. Sawtelle: 

"All hands on deck ! Breakfast is served, and must 
be eaten hurriedly. This is ideal weather for air sail- 
ing, and we cannot afford to loiter until a breeze 
springs up.” 

There is little need to say that this command was 
obeyed without loss of time, and during the meal the 
Neva's owner said to the boys: 

"You two lads may go up to the tent with me to 
see the aeroplane as she hangs there, and then you 
are to return and get the Hampton boat under way. 
I shall sail due west, and you are to run in that direc- 
tion, following me as nearly as you can. Zenas will 
do the same with this yacht. I am not anticipating 


220 


THE AEROPLANE 


any accident; but it is as well to guard against any 
possibility/’ 

Master Cushing was eager to accompany the boys 
when they went on shore to look at the wonderful 
craft which was intended, as Mr. Downs had said, to 
‘‘chase crows,” and every other member of the Neva's 
crew had the same curiosity, therefore it was a rea- 
sonably large party which went on shore with the 
aeroplane builder. 

Mr. Sawtelle led the way, explaining as they 
walked how he proposed to rise in the air before be- 
ginning the flight, and had not come to an end of the 
details when they arrived at the tent. 

“Where is Sam?” Paul asked as he failed to see 
anyone on guard, and Mr. Sawtelle replied carelessly: 

“It was really for the purpose of preventing his 
own family from blundering around inside that I had 
him remain on watch. He was given permission to 
go to bed at midnight, and from that time Daniel and 
his son Ernest were to patrol the shore. You can 
see,” he added with a smile, “that I did not neglect 
any precautions, even though having no fears that 
mischief could be done. Now for the aeroplane,” 
and the gentleman flung open the front of the tent 
with an air of triumph, only to give vent to a loud 
exclamation of mingled anger and dismay. 

The machine which he had put together with so 
much care, was now no more than a pile of kindling 
wood. Every brace and bar had been splintered, and 
the covering of the main surfaces were cut and torn 
in a manner which showed that considerable time must 
have been spent in the work of destruction. 


CHAPTER XII 


THE SEARCH 

While one might have counted ten no one spoke, 
and then it was Zenas who broke the painful silence, 
as he cried in a voice hoarse with rage : 

‘‘So this is the way you take every precaution, is 
it?’^ and he turned upon Mr. Sawtelle as if charging 
him with having done the mischief. “You looked out 
mighty sharp so’s nobody could fool ’round with the 
fly in’ machine, an’ you was dead certain John Ed 
Bingham wouldn’t dare come on this ’ere island while 
you was here, eh?” 

“It must have been the smuggler who did the mis- 
chief,” the owner of the Neva muttered, giving no 
heed to Zenas or his angry words. 

“Must have been? Of course it was!” Master 
Cushing cried, his rage seeming to increase each in- 
stant. “Who else would spend so much time jest for 
the sake of payin’ off a grudge? Look at them ’ere 
braces that we worked over so long in order to have 
’em the right thickness an’ strength ! Don’t you allow 
it took a man quite a spell to break every one? An’ 
what was your gang of watchers doin’ while John Ed 
was at work?” 

It was as if this question aroused Paul’s father 
from the stupefaction which had come over him on 
first viewing the scene of destruction, and he cried 
sharply : 

“Where is Daniel Downs?” 


221 


222 


THE AEROPLANE 


“Em hopin’ I’ll allers be as near when you’re 
wantin’ me,” came in cheery tones from the rear of 
the '‘hotel,” and Mr. Downs stepped out into view. 
“Goin’ to fly this mornin’, sir?” 

“Who was on watch last night, Daniel ?” Mr. Simp- 
son asked sharply, and the old farmer replied with the 
air of one who expects to be praised for having done 
his full duty: 

“I was, sir — that is to say, me an’ Ernest toddled 
’round the island after Sam went to bed ’cordin’ to 
what Mr. Sawtelle told him might be done.” 

“How often were you in the immediate vicinity of 
this tent?” 

“Meanin’ did I come ’round this way, sir?” 

“Of course that is what I mean!” was the reply 
spoken so emphatically as to sound angry. 

“Well, I couldn’t say for sartin, sir, seein’s how I 
didn’t try to keep count ; but me an’ Ernest met 
here now an’ then all night long ” 

“Were you here twice between midnight and day- 
break?” 

“More’n that, sir. We must have been nigh ’round 
here half a dozen times.” 

“And you neither saw nor heard anything to arouse 
suspicions?” Mr. Simpson continued sharply, and by 
this time the worthy Mr. Downs began to have an 
inkling that something had gone wrong. 

“Things went along like clock-work, so to say. 
We didn’t hear the least little thing out’er the way,” 
and as he spoke Mr. Downs advanced until it was 
possible for him to have a view of the interior of the 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


223 

work-tent, when he staggered back as if someone had 
dealt him a severe blow. 

“Wa’al, I’ll be jiggered if John Ed ain’t been here 
after all! How did the sneakin’ creeter get ashore?” 

“How did he succeed in doing all this mischief 
without being overheard by you or your son, if both 
of you were on watch?” Mr. Sawtelle cried. “When 
those braces were broken considerable noise must have 
been made, for the splintering of wood is what can’t 
well be muffled.” 

After his first exclamation it was as if Daniel 
Downs had lost the power of speech, and he stood 
staring stupidly first at the wreck and then at his 
employer. 

Zenas was the only one who ventured inside the 
tent, and he was turning over this bit of splintered 
wood or that fragment of torn covering, as if expect- 
ing to find something which would give answer to 
Mr. Downs’s question. 

The sound of voices had brought Ernest and Sam 
out of the “hotel,” and the evidence of the mischief 
done seemed to affect them even more forcibly than 
it had their father. Both lads acted as if sud- 
denly grown faint, and Paul, who was watching 
them intently, was at a loss to decide whether this 
was proof of innocence or token of guilt. He be- 
lieved he knew that the lads, if having come suddenly 
upon the old smuggler when none others were around, 
would be so frightened as to obey implicitly whatever 
commands he might give, as had already been shown, 
and it was by no means impossible that they had 


224 


THE AEROPLANE 


taken some part in the mischief, because of Bingham’s 
threats. 

Mr. Sawtelle questioned the boys as he had their 
father; but both were so terrified as to be unable to 
make intelligent replies. They looked imploringly 
from time to time toward Mr. Downs, on being 
asked how often Ernest came in the vicinity of the 
work-tent, or when Sam went to bed, and answered 
at random, as if not really knowing what they 
said. 

^‘We shall gain nothing by questioning,” Mr. Simp- 
son suddenly cried when his partner had demanded 
for at least the fourth time a coherent account of how 
the boys had spent the night. ‘Tt appears, if we can 
put any faith in what they say, that Sam remained in- 
side this tent until midnight, up to which time he had 
seen nothing to arouse suspicions. If that be true, 
then it is certain the mischief-maker had less than 
four hours in which to do his dastardly work and 
get away, even though he was not interrupted by 
Daniel and Ernest ” 

‘'We were ’round this way no less than four times, 
an’ I’ll take my solemn ’davy that there wasn’t any- 
thin’ the bigness of a mouse stirrin’ while I stood 
near here,” Mr. Downs interrupted. 

“We must believe it was Bingham who did this 
thing,” Mr. Simpson continued, “and in such case he 
can hardly have had time to get clear away from the 
island. The watchman on the yacht would have seen 
him put to sea, unless there’s a chance for him to 
launch a boat on the easterly side ” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


225 

Again Mr. Downs interrupted the speaker, and this 
time it was to say emphatically: 

‘‘Surely you ought’er know, Mr. Simpson, that no 
livin’ man could get away from the east shore, unless 
he had someone pullin’ back an’ forth beyond the 
line of surf waitin’ for him, an’ even then it would 
be a case of swimmin’ out to the craft, which is a 
mighty ticklish job.” 

“I was on watch from two o’clock till four this 
morning, sir, and am ready to swear that no one put 
to sea from the island during that time, except they 
set off from such portion of the east coast as is hidden 
by the trees from view of anyone on the yacht,” a 
member of the Neva's crew said, as if suddenly re- 
membering that it stood him in hand to give some 
evidence of having been on the alert. 

“It appears to me,” Mr. Simpson continued, show- 
ing no sign of impatience because of these interrup- 
tions, “that the work must have occupied at least two 
hours, providing the scoundrel worked diligently, and 
from what can be judged by these evidences, he set 
about it in a methodical manner with a view of pre- 
venting us from using any of this material in making 
another aeroplane.” 

“By which supposition you infer — what?” Mr. 
Sawtelle demanded irritably. 

“That the man must now be on the island,” was 
the emphatic reply. “It is barely possible there is 
a hiding-place of which even Daniel Downs and his 
sons are ignorant, where a person might lay con- 
cealed a number of days. We can do no good by 


226 


THE AEROPLANE 


chewing the matter over here; but there is a chance of 
coming upon the scoundrel if a systematic search be 
begun without delay.” 

'^Employ every man and boy,” the owner of the 
Neva cried loudly. ‘^Take charge of the work, Simp- 
son, and see that it be done in the most thorough 
manner possible regardless of the time occupied. I 
stand ready to obey orders.” 

At this point Zenas came out from the further end 
of the tent, and said with the air of one who has 
gained valuable information: 

“Whoever did the work crept under the canvas as 
if havin’ come from the easterly shore. You can see 
where he cut a slit in the canvas so’s to find out if 
anybody was inside, which kind’er looks as if he al- 
lowed that we might have had a man on watch 

“As we would have done if I had not been next 
door to an idiot!” Mr. Sawtelle cried emphatically; 
but Zenas gave no heed to the interruption, save to 
wait until his employer had ceased speaking, when he 
continued : 

“He tore that ’ere blanket we used in steamin’ the 
braces, inter two pieces. I reckon it was done so’s 
he could wrap the wood before breakin’ it, an’ by 
sich means prevent very much of a noise. One or 
two of the pieces have on ’em marks of a saw, showin’ 
it was hard work to splinter the wood with his hands. 
The weather has been so dry lately that I don’t allow 
we could make any fist at trailin’ the villain; but if 
so be there’s a soft place ’twixt here an’ that little 
horse-shoe cove on the east shore. I’d bet dollars agin 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


227 


the hole in a doughnut that we could find footprints 
on it, an’ they wouldn’t have been made by any of 
us.” 

‘T am beginning to think, Zenas, that it would be 
a wise plan to let you take charge of the searching 
party,” Mr. Simpson said after he had examined 
critically all the evidences of the mischief-maker de- 
scribed by Master Cushing. wish it might be pos- 
sible for you to decide at what hour the fellow ceased 
work.” 

“If it be true that Sam didn’t turn in till midnight, 
an’ I’ve got no reason to doubt what little he seems 
able to tell, then you can count it as a fact that the 
villain didn’t leave this ’ere tent till after day had 
begun to break,” Zenas replied confidently. 

“How would you set about the search?” Mr. Saw- 
telle asked, as if impatient because the conversation 
was prolonged. 

“I ain’t got any idees as to that, sir, an’ I reckon 
you or Mr. Simpson are the ones to look after the 
matter; but I’d like to be counted out of the job.” 

“Why?” 

“ ’Cause I want to put in my time ’round that ’ere 
little cove I was tellin’ ’bout. The tide has been 
ebbin’ since two o’clock, an’ if he did leave the east 
shore of the island, either by swimmin’ or any other 
way, it would be from there, consequently the prints of 
his feet must be seen on the wet sand.” 

“Do whatever you please, Zenas. The remainder 
of the party will make careful search of every inch 
of land, beginning at Swallow-tailed Cove,” Mr. 


228 THE AEROPLANE 

Simpson said in a tone of one who has fully decided 
upon some course of action, and then he gave ex- 
plicit directions to each as to how the work must be 
done. 

Master Cushing set off at once by himself, glancing 
over his shoulder now and then as if afraid of being 
followed, and Ned whispered to Paul: 

‘Tf anything of importance is learned to-day, it 
will be by Zenas. He has either seen something that 
he did not tell your father and Mr. Sawtelle, or else 
has made a mighty good guess.” 

“His wanting to go by himself is because he hopes 
to find some clue alone, and thus make it appear that 
he is a better hand at such work than all the rest of 
us put together,” Paul replied carelessly, for the be- 
lief was firm in his mind that whoever had done the 
mischief was already a long distance from the island. 

The searchers under direction of Mr. Simpson did 
their work thoroughly but slowly. Advancing in a 
line which stretched from one side of the island to the 
other, they covered nearly every square yard of land, 
examining carefully every clump of bushes or pile 
of rocks which might afford a hiding-place to a cat, 
without seeing anything of that for which they sought. 

The task required much time because the line of 
searchers was forced to move slowly in order to keep 
the formation, and the day had nearly been spent 
when the party arrived at the southerly end of the 
island. 

Zenas had been seen more than once loitering 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


229 


around the tiny cove of horse-shoe shape; but he gave 
no heed to the others, and even refused to answer 
Paul’s hail when the lad saw him a short distance 
away. 

The work had not been interrupted when Mrs. 
Downs sounded the horn from the “hotel” as token 
that supper was served, and it is safe to say that, 
every member of the searching party felt weary as 
well as hungry when his labors came to an end at the 
rocky shore against which the surf beat with a noise 
like that of distant thunder. 

Mr. Downs and his sons had, as a matter of course, 
been among the searchers, and Paul, who observed 
them closely from time to time because of certain 
suspicions which had come unbidden into his mind, 
decided that they were thoroughly alarmed by the 
probable evidence that John Ed Bingham had been 
in the vicinity. 

“Sam may not have remained in the work-tent 
later than ten o’clock, while it is possible that Mr. 
Downs and Ernest spent more time in the kitchen 
than they did outside; but I can’t believe they know 
other concerning the destruction of the aeroplane, than 
does Mr. Sawtelle,” the lad said to himself when the 
little party came to a halt because it was impossible 
to go any farther. 

“From now until sunset you may dispose of your 
time as best pleases you,” the owner of the Nera said 
after he had remained gazing out over the restless 
waters a full minute. “After that time watch will 


230 


THE AEROPLANE 


be set, and the man or boy who shirks his duty in 
the slightest degree will be dealt with by me in a 
manner that won’t be agreeable.” 

Those last words sounded much like a threat, and 
Paul looked searchingly once more at the Downs fam- 
ily to see how they received it. 

• So far as might be guessed from Daniel Downs’s 
stolid face, the announcement pleased him, while the 
two boys looked frightened, rather than otherwise, as 
if asking themselves whether it would be possible for 
them to do full duty during one entire night. 

Zenas had not shown himself when the searchers 
walked slowly toward the cove or the “hotel.” Paul 
and Ned kept close to the owners of the island in 
order to hear what they might have to say, for it 
seemed certain that plans for the future would be 
discussed, and both lads were eager to learn if the 
destruction of the aeroplane would affect Mr. Saw- 
telle’s intent to build an air craft. 

They were not kept long in suspense as to what 
was to be done, for when the two men were compara- 
tively alone, save for the companionship of the boys, 
Mr. Sawtelle said in a decided tone : 

“If you and I, with half a dozen others to aid, can’t 
prevent Bingham from paying off old scores, we de- 
serve to fail in anything we undertake. I’m free to 
admit that I am the one who should be blamed for 
last night’s work. I was so positive the smuggler 
would not dare interfere with us, that the aeroplane 
was much the same as left unguarded, for the Downs 
family are but little better than children,” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


231 


“I shared your belief,” Mr. Simpson interrupted 
as if to soothe his partner; ‘'and even now am in 
doubt as to whether this last mischief can be laid at 
John Ed’s door.” 

“You suspect the Downs family?” and Mr. Saw- 
telle wheeled sharply to face his partner. 

“It is impossible to suspect anyone, and yet there 
are the evidences of foul play. I fail to understand 
why Daniel Downs or his sons should desire to work 
mischief, and I question if they would have dared do 
anything of the kind, however favorable the oppor- 
tunity which presented itself ” 

“You can answer for Zenas and these two boys, 
even as I do for the men aboard the Nera. Who, 
then, could have done the foul work?” 

“I can’t say,” and Mr. Simpson spoke as if in 
direst perplexity; “yet I won’t believe that Bingham 
has been on this island during the past forty-eight 
hours. It is worse than useless to speculate upon 
what has been done. The question is, what course 
shall be pursued in the future?” 

“I have already settled that matter to my satisfac- 
tion,” Mr. Sawtelle replied firmly. “We are to build 
an aeroplane, and make many voyages in her before 
the summer comes to a close. While working to re- 
pair the mischief, we will keep strict watch night and 
day, even though it entails the hiring of more men.” 

“What about material?” Mr. Simpson asked. “It 
will require considerable time to gather such as you’ll 
need, for but little can be found in Seaview.” 

“It is my intention to sail for the city at daybreak 


232 


THE AEROPLANE 


to-morrow, and when I return We shall be in condi- 
tion to go forward with the work.” 

Having thus announced his decision Mr. Sawtelle 
quickened his pace, as if no longer caring to continue 
the conversation, and, having learned that which they 
desired to know, Paul and Ned allowed themselves 
to be distanced by the owners of the island. 

The two lads were walking slowly, each deep in 
thought, when Zenas overtook them, he having evi- 
dently come from the cove where he had last been 
seen, and as he approached Paul asked laughingly: 

‘‘Well, have you settled the matter, Zenas?” 

‘T’ve figured things out in a way to suit me; but 
haven’t finished tryin’ to make a whole story of it 
yet.” 

“Did you find any footprints on the shore?” Ned 
asked. 

“None of any account. My man didn’t leave in a 
boat, an’ I’m allowin’ he’s here this blessed minute, 
chucklin’ to himself ’cause we’re so dumb as not to 
smoke him out.” 

The boys came to a full halt, gazing in surprise 
and bewilderment at Master Cushing, who replied, 
as if reading the question in their eyes : 

“Yes, I’m allowin’ it was John Ed who did the job 
last night.” 

“Has it taken you all day to arrive at such a wise 
conclusion ?” Paul asked in a tone of irony, and deeply 
disappointed because Zenas had nothing of real im- 
portance to impart. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


233 


‘T'm allowin’ that somethin’ more’n guesswork was 
needed to make certain even of that much,” Master 
Cushing replied calmly, in nowise disturbed by Paul’s 
tone. ‘'First off I got a sneakin’ idee that perhaps 
the Downs family had been hired to do the job, seein’s 
how it didn’t seem possible John Ed would dare make 
a try at landin’ on the island while there were so many 
on watch.” 

“But he would have had to come in order to hire 
the Downs crowd, and it’s certain there is no other 
person who could have any interest in destroying the 
aeroplane, therefore I can’t see how you might have 
believed they had been hired,” Ned cried, thinking 
Master Cushing was striving to display a certain 
amount of detective ability. 

“Old Daniel has been on watch the last half of 
each night, an’ John Ed could have pulled across, had 
a talk with him, an’ gone back without bein’ seen by 
any of our crowd. That was the way I figgered it at 
first; but now I’ve changed my mind.” 

“And you have decided that Bingham did the work 
last night?” Paul asked. 

“Aye, that’s what I have.” 

“How do you reckon he could have spent so much 
time, and rowed out of sight before daylight?” 

“I don’t allow he left the island. The villain could 
work till day began to dawn, an’ then sneak off be- 
fore anyone was astir.” 

“But he isn’t on the island, therefore it seems as 
if you had wasted the day working up an impossible 


234 


THE AEROPLANE 


theory,” and Paul was inclined to be angry because 
Zenas had come with such a proposition after it had 
been proven an impossibility. 

‘^How do you know he ain’t on this island?” Mas- 
ter Cushing asked sharply, and Paul replied irritably : 

‘^How do I know? Haven’t we just finished 
searching, after having been over every square yard 
of land and rock? If a cat had been hidden here she 
couldn’t have escaped us.” 

‘"And I’m tellin’ you that John Ed is on Barren 
Island this blessed minute!” 

‘‘That’s a foolish guess!” Ned cried, and Zenas re- 
torted : 

“It ain’t more’n half as foolish as some other things 
that have been done an’ said this day. I’m willin’ 
to admit I’m guessin’ part of what I say ’bout that 
old villain; but I’ve got good grounds to work on, 
an’ don’t allow that settin’ a crowd walkin’ across 
the island, pokin’ their noses inter every bush an’ 
under every rock, is makin’ certain John Ed can’t be 
here. Did Mr. Sawtelle allow that he’d be fool 
enough to make a try at hidin’ where even such a 
dumb brute as Sam Downs could ferret him out?” 

“If there were any hiding-places on this island such 
as you’ve been dreaming about, some of us must know 
of them,” Paul cried. “Do you suppose Daniel 
Downs, who has lived here ten years or more, 
wouldn’t know if a man could crawl so far out of 
sight that a party of searchers, spending nearly a 
whole day in the work, couldn’t come upon him?” 

“Wa’al, now you’re gettin’ down somewhere to my 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


235 


way of thinkin', lad/’ Zenas replied in a tone of sat- 
isfaction, and much to the mystification of the boys. 
'T’ve agreed that Daniel didn’t have a hand in last 
night’s work ; but you haven’t heard me say he 
mightn’t have known what was goin’ on. S’posen 
there is a hidin’ -place here sich as you say I’ve dreamed 
about, an’ Daniel knows where it is? Then s’posen 
agin that John Ed comes here an’ tells Downs he’s 
got to be hid or he’ll make trouble? It don’t take 
much in the way of threats to scare the old man, an’ 
I’m allowin’ he’d come mighty nigh dancin’ ’cordin’ 
to the way Bingham whistled.” 

The two boys gazed at each other in amazement. 
Zenas had ‘‘guessed” at a very plausible possibility, 
and the surprising part of it was that no one save 
Master Cushing had hit upon this solution to the 
mystery. 

It had a different appearance, however, when they 
began to examine closely into every detail, and the 
strongest argument against it was, a hiding-place so 
thoroughly well concealed that the exhaustive search 
of the day had failed to reveal it. 

“It isn’t a reasonable supposition,” Paul exclaimed 
after a long time of thought. “If this island was 
covered with a regular forest, then I’d say it was 
possible a man might be hidden here a day or two; 
but how could he keep out of sight on these bare 
rocks? The grove is so small that we know beyond 
the shadow of a doubt he can’t be concealed there.” 

“I’ve got an idee that I’ll be able to answer that 
question ’twixt now an’ the time I’m called on to 


236 


THE AEROPLANE 


help build another crow-chaser, ’cause it’ll take Mr. 
Sawtelle quite a spell to get what lumber an’ sich-like 
truck as will be needed.” 

Ned made haste to explain what the owner of the 
Nera intended to do, and Zenas exclaimed in a tone 
of satisfaction: 

‘‘That suits me way down to the ground! Now if 
I can run through the rest of my plan without lettin’ 
all hands know what I’m tryin’ to do, we’ll be gettin’ 
mighty close to John Ed’s heels.” 

“There is no use in trying to convince you that 
you’ve got the silliest kind of a bee in your bonnet,” 
Paul said laughingly, all the irritation having van- 
ished; “but I’d like to know what may be the ‘rest 
of the plan’?” 

“I’m wantin’ to run out in the Hampton boat when 
the tide is about half-ebb, an’ cruise ’round till I get 
tired.” 

“I don’t have any desire to spend my time in such 
a foolish manner.” 

“That’s jest the idee, lad!” Zenas cried as if well 
pleased. “I want to go alone, an’ it won’t be much 
of a job to look after the motor an’ steer at the same 
time. There ain’t a fisherman runs out of Seaview 
who can’t do sich a trick.” 

“Go alone?” Ned repeated. “Have you got it into 
your head that one of us might prevent you from 
finding Bingham?” 

“Wa’al,” Zenas replied with a grimace, “seein’s how 
you don’t put any faith in my guessin’, there’d be a 
chance for a lot of fool talk, an’ I ain’t in the mood 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


237 

for anythin’ of the kind. What about my takin’ the 
boat ?” 

“There is no reason why you shouldn’t; but it 
strikes me you had better explain to father that you 
want to take a cruise all by your lonesome, otherwise 
he may have different plans so far as you are con- 
cerned.” 

“Look here, Paul, I’m dependin’ on your lendin’ 
me a hand even if you don’t put any faith in my 
guessin’. I don’t want to talk to your father, ’cause 
he’d need to know too blamed much, an’ you must 
explain after I’ve started.” 

“Making a wonderful mystery out of nothing, 
aren’t you? Well, when you put out from the cove 
I’ll tell father that you’ve gone to catch John Ed 
Bingham, and surely that should satisfy both him and 
Mr. Sawtelle.” 

“All I’m wantin’ you to say is that I counted on 
runnin’ ’round the island, an’ went alone on account 
of your bein’ tired out with trampin’. That ain’t a 
very big favor to ask, an’ if I’m makin’ a bloomin’ 
fool of myself there can’t be much harm done.” 

“How long do you count on being away?” 

“Till the tide is at half-flood.” 

“Now see here, Zenas, what has John Ed’s being 
here got to do with the tide?” and Paul spoke impa- 
tiently, whereupon Master Cushing replied with a 
smile : 

“That’s all of a piece with my guessin’, an’ since 
it’s only a finicky idee, there’s no need of tryin’ to 
explain it. I know for a fact that your father would 


238 


THE AEROPLANE 


make all kinds of fun of me if I told him, an’ I don’t 
count on takin’ sich chances.” 

“What’s the need of making so much talk about 
Zenas’s folly, for that is what it amounts to when it’s 
boiled down?” Ned asked impatiently. “I haven’t 
eaten anything since sunrise, and had rather have an 
interview with the Neva's cook than stand here lis- 
tening to wild schemes. Promise what he asks, Paul, 
and then you and I will have done with his crazy 
ideas.” 

“Very well,” Paul said laughingly. “I agree to 
repeat to father that which you have told me; but 
my advice is, to come back before the watches are set 
for the night, otherwise you may have to make ex- 
planations to Mr. Sawtelle such as won’t fit in with 
your mysterious plans.” 

“I’ll attend to that part of it,” Zenas cried cheerily, 
and then he hurried away as if every moment was 
precious, going, much to the surprise of the boys, 
across the island in the direction of that tiny horse- 
shoe-shaped cove on the eastern shore, instead of 
where food might be found. 

“He puts big faith in his guesswork, if he’s willing 
to keep at the scheme without first getting something 
to eat,” Ned said as if speaking to himself. “He must 
be as hungry as I am, and yet is turning his back on 
such a dinner as the cook of the Neva has most likely 
kept warm for us since noon.” 

“There’s no sense in our bothering over his crazy 
plans,” Paul replied sharply. “The idea of claiming 
that John Ed Bingham has remained securely hidden 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


239 


on this island while all hands of us searched every 
inch of it, is the wildest kind of nonsense, and if he 
gets good and hungry it may bring him to his senses.” 

Then Paul led the way to the harbor, Ned follow- 
ing at his heels, neither of the lads inclined for further 
conversation, and when they were on board the Nera 
Mr. Simpson asked: 

^'Didn’t I see you with Zenas a few moments ago ?” 

‘Tes, sir.” 

‘'Why didn’t he come aboard?” 

“He thinks he has business on the east shore, so 
went back without waiting for anything to eat. He’s 
going to take a cruise in the Hampton boat before 
sunset, and it may be he is getting ready for it.” 

It was only reasonable that the owners of the 
island should be curious regarding Zenas’s proposed 
movements; but the boys made no explanation other 
than Master Cushing himself had requested should be 
given, and the two men apparently dismissed the mat- 
ter from their minds, as they discussed what ought 
to be done in the city by Mr. Sawtelle. 

“I am intending to get under way as soon as day 
breaks, therefore you and the boys will be forced to 
return to the old quarters to-night, since it would be 
useless to turn out so early in the morning,” Mr. Saw- 
telle said to his partner when the discussion was 
brought to a close, and Paul and Ned, having appeased 
their hunger, went on shore in order to get as much 
sleep as might be possible before doing their share of 
guarding the island during the hours of darkness. 


CHAPTER XIII 


THE HIDING-PLACE 

It had been in the minds of Paul and Ned that 
Zenas would set off in the Hampton boat at once, 
therefore it was they expected to see him getting un- 
der way when they went on shore from the Nera; 
but, much to their surprise, he was nowhere in sight, 
while the craft he had asked permission to cruise in 
lay at anchor in her customary mooring-place. 

“It must be that he has abandoned his plan,’’ Paul 
said after looking in vain for Master Cushing. “Most 
likely he has come to understand that the crazy idea 
he had in mind would only mean a waste of time and 
strength, to say nothing of giving us a chance to laugh 
at him. I am expecting to find him in bed when we 
get to the quarters.” 

“He’ll take good care to get something to eat be- 
fore turning in,” Ned added confidently, and because 
of this last suggestion the boys were not particularly 
surprised at failing to find him at the “hotel.” 

Sam Downs was the only person to be seen when 
they entered the building, and one might have fancied 
he had been waiting to speak with them, for on the 
instant he sprang up eagerly as if to ask some ques- 
tion; but stepped back suddenly as if disappointed. 

“What’s the matter, Sam ?” Paul asked in a friendly 
tone. 

“Nothin’,” was the glum reply. “I kind’er wanted 
to see Zenas, an’ thought he might be with you. What 
240 


THE AEROPLANE 


241 


made you come up here to-night instead of stoppin’ 
aboard the Neraf 

^‘We’re counting on sleeping here for a change,” 
Paul replied, refraining from speaking of Mr. Saw- 
telle’s intended voyage, although why it should be 
kept a secret he could not have said. 

‘"Coin’ to hunt for John Ed any longer?” Master 
Downs asked as if for the sake of saying something, 
rather than to gain information. 

''Don’t you think we have searched long enough?” 
Ned asked, and Sam muttered something that could 
not be understood, as he started toward the door. 

"Why don’t you wait till Zenas comes ?” 

"Do you know when he’ll be here?” 

"No, we don’t,” Paul replied laughingly. "He 
seems to have something on his mind that he intends 
to keep secret. Why did you want to see him?” 

"For nothin’ much,” Master Downs muttered; and 
then, as if thinking perhaps the boys might give him 
the desired information, he asked with more of eager- 
ness in his tone, as Paul fancied, than the matter war- 
ranted, "Do you know what he’s tryin’ to do over on 
the easterly side of the island?” 

"Is he there?” Paul asked much as if he was not 
aware of Master Cushing’s whereabouts. 

"Of course he is — been there mighty nigh all day, 
nosin’ ’round like he counted to find John Ed under 
the rocks.” 

"Doesn’t your father know what Zenas is about?” 

"No, an’ that’s what’s fussin’ him,” Sam replied 
earnestly. "It looks as if he’d struck some kind of 


THE AEROPLANE 


242 

a silly idee, else he’d stayed with the rest of us when 
we was huntin’ over the island.” 

There was no question in the mind of Paul but that 
Mr. Downs had sent his son to quiz Zenas, and this 
fact seemed sufficient to prove that the old man was 
disturbed because of what Master Cushing was doing. 
If such was the case, and it surely seemed a reasonable 
proposition, why should Daniel Downs be worried 
because the search for Bingham might possibly be 
conducted on lines with which he was unacquainted? 

These thoughts flashed across Paul’s mind even 
while Sam was speaking, and on the instant he began 
to have some little faith that Zenas was not quite the 
simple his movements would have seemed to indicate, 
while at the same time doubts as to Daniel Downs’s 
strict honesty came with no little force. He could not 
forget the double part played by the old man the sum- 
mer previous, and such knowledge served to strengthen 
his newly aroused suspicions. 

“Then your father doesn’t like to have Zenas hang- 
ing around on the east shore?” he said questioningly, 
and Sam replied hesitatingly, as if beginning to real- 
ize that it would have been better had he held his 
peace : 

“I don’t reckon he cares so very much; but all 
hands of us would kind’er like to know what Zenas 
counts on doin’ over there all by his lonesome.” 

“You’ll have to ask him that question,” Ned said 
laughingly, wondering why it was that Paul had sud- 
denly grown grave, and Sam replied as he hurried 
out of the building: 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


243 


don’t reckon it makes any great difference; but 
father allowed that he’d like to know, so I came over 
to see what Zenas had to say.” 

When Sam had disappeared behind the ‘‘hotel,” to 
make report to his father, most likely, Ned asked cu- 
riously : 

“What did he say that made you turn glum so 
suddenly ?” 

“It was the whole talk that set me to asking myself 
why Daniel Downs should be worried because Zenas 
loitered around the eastern shore. And again, since 
he was ‘fussed,’ as Sam said, would it not be because 
he was afraid Bingham might be found — meaning that 
the smuggler is still hiding on the island ?” 

“Jiminy!” Ned exclaimed. “You are coming 
mighty near saying that Daniel Downs is in col- 
lusion with John Ed!” 

“If he isn’t, and if he didn’t have fears that the 
smuggler would be found, why should he care where 
Zenas spent his time ? The old man wasn’t distressed 
when all hands of us swept down the length of the 
island, examining every possible hiding-place; but he 
sends Sam to ask questions as soon as Cushing loiters 
near Horse-shoe Cove.” 

“Crickey! It begins to look as if Zenas wasn’t 
quite as crazy as we allowed!” Ned exclaimed. “But 
I don’t have the glimmer of an idea as to what part 
that little cove plays in the business, for it is certain 
even a rabbit couldn’t find a hiding-place anywhere 
near there.” 

“It’s a puzzle to me ; but we can count it as certain 


244 


THE AEROPLANE 


that Zenas is on a trail of some kind, and intends 
following it to the end. Let’s tell him about Sam’s 
visit,” and Paul led the way hurriedly to the door; 
but he halted very suddenly on gaining the open air, 
for then it was possible to see the Hampton boat 
standing out of the harbor at a swift pace, a single 
figure standing at the helm. 

'‘We shall have to wait till he gets back,” Paul said 
in a tone of disappointment, and Ned added hope- 
fully : 

“Perhaps it is just as well. It might mix him up 
to know that Daniel Downs was taking a hand in the 
game, or trying to do so.” 

“That wouldn’t trouble him a little bit, for it’s 
hard work to throw Zenas off a scent once he has 
found it; but the knowledge that Mr. Downs is wor- 
ried might help out in picking up a clue.” 

Since it was no longer possible to have speech with 
Zenas until after he returned from the lonely cruise, 
and because there was nothing to be done toward 
solving the mystery, Ned proposed that they go to 
bed in order to bottle up the needed sleep before the 
time when they must do their share of standing guard. 

To this Paul agreed; but they might as well have 
remained outside, for both were excited by that which 
had apparently been discovered, and to close their eyes 
in slumber was well-nigh impossible. 

Again and again they asked, without hope of re- 
ceiving an answer, why Mr. Downs should be agitated 
because Zenas loitered in the vicinity of the tiny cove 
on the eastern shore. In their minds they went over 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


245 


that short stretch of beach, only to decide that there 
was no available hiding-place for a man in that vicin- 
ity, and then, puzzled to the verge of bewilderment, 
the boys speculated upon the agitation of Daniel 
Downs, as shown by Sam’s visit, wondering if he 
would dare, after all that had happened during the 
previous summer, to obey the commands of John Ed 
Bingham when it would be treachery to those who 
employed him. 

They were yet awake, speculating vainly, when one 
of the men from the Nera came to summon them to 
their share of guard duty, and on emerging from the 
building Mr. Sawtelle was found awaiting their com- 
ing. 

“Mr. Simpson and I will keep watch on the west- 
erly side,” he said as the boys approached. “You are 
to patrol the eastern shore, but keeping especial guard 
over Swallow-tailed Cove. There is no fear anyone 
will attempt to land on the southern point while the 
surf is running so high, therefore you need not give 
much attention to that portion of the island.” 

“How long are we to stay on duty?” Ned asked. 

“Until someone comes to relieve you,” was the curt 
reply, and the owner of the Nera walked swiftly away 
as if averse to conversation. 

The boys began their portion of the night’s work 
by going to the very extremity of Swallow-tailed 
Cove, and skirting the shore toward the eastward un- 
til arriving at the opposite side of the island, when 
they set off along the coast in a southerly direction. 

There were no clouds in the sky, and, after their 


246 


THE AEROPLANE 


eyes had become accustomed to the gloom, it was pos- 
sible to distinguish surrounding objects with reason- 
able distinctness, therefore it seemed to them an 
impossibility that any moving thing could escape their 
notice. 

Not until having arrived in the vicinity of the horse- 
shoe-shaped cove did the boys see anything to attract 
attention, and then both halted suddenly to point sea- 
ward as an exclamation of surprise involuntarily es- 
caped their lips. 

There, not more than fifty yards from the shore, 
lay the Hampton boat rocking at moorings on the 
gentle surf, but nothing could be seen of the man 
who had gone out in her for a lonely cruise, until 
two or three minutes had elapsed, the lads meanwhile 
standing silent and motionless in astonishment because 
of what seemed much like the mysterious disappear- 
ance of Zenas. 

Then, suddenly, as if he had popped up out of the 
very rocks at their feet. Master Cushing appeared, 
coming cautiously toward them with a gesture which 
prevented either of the boys from speaking. 

Not until he stood close beside them did he say in 
a whisper, as if fancying there might be others in the 
vicinity who would overhear if he raised his voice : 

‘‘Stay right where you are, an’ don’t move about 
any, till I carry the Hampton boat ’round to the har- 
bor.” 

“How did you get ashore?” Paul asked in the same 
cautious tone. 

“I took Daniel’s old dory with me, countin’ that 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


247 


I might want to make a landin’. Don’t speak above 
a whisper while I’m gone; keep mighty sharp watch, 
an’ be careful not to move ’round any, for on a calm 
night like this the sound of your feet in the sand car- 
ries far.” 

“But what ” 

“I can’t stop to talk now; everythin’ can be chewed 
over after the tide rises a bit more. It’s hardly half- 
flood now.” 

Then it was that Master Cushing stole softly away, 
and in haste, to prevent further questioning, moving 
so cautiously that unless the boys had seen him they 
would not have known he waS' in the neighborhood. 

It was possible to distinguish his figure in the gloom 
as he pushed off in the old dory, which had been hid- 
den in a cleft of the rocks where the surf could have 
no effect on her, and, once having gained the Hamp- 
ton boat and raised the anchor, instead of starting the 
motor, he paddled her along the coast northward. 

It can readily be understood that these mysterious 
movements caused the boys greatest surprise and no 
little anxiety. It really seemed as if Master Cushing 
had taken leave of his senses, otherwise why should 
he behave in such a manner, as if there were others 
nearby who might have warning of his presence, 
when, as a matter of fact, both the lads knew — or 
believed they did, that no living thing, save them- 
selves, was on that side of the island. 

It was slow work paddling the Hampton boat with 
a single oar; yet Zenas continued what appeared much 
like senseless labor until he had come to the easterly 


248 


THE AEROPLANE 


point of Swallow-tailed Cove, and then, by the more 
rapid movements of the craft, the lads understood that 
the motor had been started. 

During all this time the boys had stood as if 
stricken motionless with astonishment, and then Paul 
motioned Ned to move back a. short distance from the 
water, the latter saying in a whisper : 

“He told us to keep sharp watch.” 

“We can do that further back, on the rocks, as well 
as here ; but it is the veriest folly for us to watch when 
there isn’t the slightest chance anyone could come 
ashore without our knowledge.” 

“But he acted as if believing some person, who 
could hear if he spoke in an ordinary tone, was close 
at hand.” 

“And by so doing showed that he was either trying 
to fool us, or had lost his wits entirely,” Paul whis- 
pered impatiently, continuing to move cautiously to- 
ward the line of vegetation until he was on the highest 
point overlooking the tiny cove. “We know there 
is no one anywhere around here except our two 
selves.” 

“Then what is the meaning of all this mystery?” 

“That is what I can’t make out, and I would set it 
down as a fact that Zenas had suddenly gone crazy, 
but for Sam Downs’s anxiety because he was loitering 
around this place.” 

The two relapsed into silence while seated on the 
ground, each striving desperately to arrive at some 
solution of the strange problem, and perhaps half an 
hour had elapsed when the sound of rapid footsteps 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


249 

could be heard from the distance, and Paul said in a 
tone of relief : 

‘'Zenas is coming at last, and now he shall be made 
to explain this nonsense.” 

He would have risen to his feet, but that Ned seized 
him by the arm, forcing him to lie down at full length, 
and the two were hardly more than stretched out 
where, even from a short distance, their bodies might 
have been mistaken for a portion of the ledge imme- 
diately in front of them, when a lad came into view 
carrying a basket on his arm. 

There was no need now for anyone to urge caution. 
Both began to understand that there was good reason 
for Master Cushing’s odd behavior, and, raising their 
heads ever so slightly in order to follow the move- 
ments of the newcomer, they saw him walk directly 
toward the southerly point of the cove as if intending 
to put out to sea. 

Now it was that Paul and Ned fancied there might 
be a boat hidden in the vicinity, and this prowler in 
the night was counting on leaving the island; but in- 
stead of continuing on to the water’s edge, he began 
to climb a portion of the reef that rose to a consid- 
erable height. 

The mystery was about to be solved, and the watch- 
ers were literally holding their breath in suspense, 
when from the distance could be heard the voice of 
Mr. Simpson as he shouted: 

‘‘Hello, Paul ! Paul !” 

The boy who had been clambering up on the reef 
turned suddenly, and without delay started at full 


250 


THE AEROPLANE 


speed toward Swallow-tailed Cove, still carrying the 
basket. In his flight he passed unwittingly within a 
few feet of Paul and Ned, who recognized him even 
in the gloom as Sam Downs, and although the mys- 
tery was far from being solved, the two lads came to 
understand that, improbable though it seemed, the old 
smuggler must be somewhere in the vicinity, or was 
likely to come within a short time. 

‘‘Hello, Paul! Paul ” 

The cry ceased suddenly, as if he who had uttered 
it was choking, and, believing some harm was being 
done his father, Paul leaped to his feet, running 
swiftly in the direction from which the sounds had 
come, Ned following close at his heels. 

Before the lads had advanced fifty paces they came 
full upon Zenas, who was hastening toward them, and 
he brought both to a full stop by swinging an arm 
around the neck of each. 

“I choked your father off, so there^s no need of 
your huntin’ for him, ’cause he understands we’ve got 
business on hand that mustn’t be interfered with.” 

: “But, Zenas, we saw Sam Downs come down on 
the rocks with a basket on his arm, and then take to 
his heels when father shouted,” Paul said hurriedly, 
speaking with difficulty because of having spent his 
breath in running, and Master Cushing received the 
information as if it was something to be expected. 

“I allowed one of that tribe would be over this way 
before daybreak ; but counted to get back in time to 
take a hand, for the tide isn’t much more’n half-flood,” 
Zenas replied in a matter-of-fact tone. 



A LAD CAME INTO VIEW CARR'i'I>JG A BASKET ON HIS ARM. 



AT SILVER FOX FARM 


251 


'‘But what has the tide to do with this mystery?” 
Ned asked impatiently, and Master Cushing replied 
softly, as if soothing a fretful child : 

“You’ll know all about it after a spell, lad, an’ I’m 
tellin’ you the same I did Paul’s father. I’m countin’ 
to get my hands on John Ed before many hours go 
by; but haven’t fixed things jest right yet. Go on 
with your guard duty, keepin’ well away from this 
’ere cove all the while, an’ ’twixt now an’ another 
noon I’ll give you somethin’ to chew on.” 

“At least you can tell us ” Paul began eagerly, 

laying his hand on Master Cushing’s arm ; but the lat- 
ter shook him off almost roughly as he said in a low 
tone : 

“I can’t tell you the least little thing jest now, an’ 
if you hang on to me tryin’ to find out what I ain’t 
overly certain of, you may spoil the whole broth. 
Get away, an’ don’t show up here again unless you 
hear me yellin’ for help.” 

“Do you remember the time when you counted 
that we two could take Bingham prisoner without 
help from any of the others?” Paul asked nervously, 
fearing that out of this plan of Zenas’s trouble might 
come as it had in the past. 

“I’ve cut my eye teeth since then, lad, an’ ain’t 
countin’ that John Ed can play me any trick this time. 
Now get away, an’ don’t come back, leastways, till 
after daybreak.” 

In order to prevent further questions Zenas started 
off toward the tiny cove swiftly yet noiselessly, and 
the two lads stood gazing after him in perplexity 


252 


THE AEROPLANE 


until he was lost to view in the gloom, when Paul 
said in a half-whisper: 

‘‘It’s certain he’s on the track of Bingham, and 

that Sam was carrying food to the old smuggler; 

but where can he be? It’s sure he isn’t anywhere 

near the cove, and yet they seem to be looking for him 

there.” 

“We might stand here the rest of the night chew- 
ing the matter over without being any wiser when 
the sun rises,” Ned replied. “Let’s find your father, 
and learn what he thinks about it. Zenas may have 
come somewhere near explaining the situation to 
him.” 

Paul acted upon the suggestion at once; but it was 
not a simple matter to find Mr. Simpson in the gloom. 
As they ran here and there, not daring to call him 
by name, the lads suddenly came upon Daniel Downs, 
who was near the ruins of his old home as if awaiting 
the coming of someone, and he brought them to a 
halt by asking sharply : 

“Did you boys have orders to come ’round this 
way? I allowed you’d be on the other shore.” 

“That’s where we have been ; but now we’re looking 
for father,” Paul replied, not minded to have any 
lengthy conversation with this man whom he believed 
was playing the part of traitor. 

“Didn’t I hear him yellin’ for you ?” and Mr. 
Downs spoke sharply, as if fancying he had some 
cause for complaint. 

“Very likely you did^ and we are going to learn 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


253 


why he wanted us,” Paul said as he turned to hasten 
away; but the old farmer was not at an end of his 
questioning. 

''What is Zenas Cushin’ cavortin' 'round with that 
big motor boat of your’n for?” 

"He didn't say why he went out.” 

"But I reckon you know, all right?” 

"Indeed we don't,” and Ned spoke so emphatically 
that, suspicious though Daniel Downs might be, he 
could not fail to understand the ring of truth in the 
words. 

"I reckon Zenas is still playin' the fool over on the 
other shore?” and Mr. Downs motioned with his 
thumb in the direction of the tiny cove from which 
Sam had retreated in such haste when Mr. Simpson's 
voice was heard. 

"He was there a short time ago,” Paul replied, 
again turning as if to continue on his course. 

"What was he doin'?” and this time there could 
be no question but that the old man spoke in an angry 
tone. 

"Nothing, so far as we could see,” Ned replied 
curtly, and while speaking he set off in the direction 
they had been pursuing, Paul following him as Mr. 
Downs muttered something about Zenas which was 
probably not very complimentary. 

"If he isn't cheating your father, why should he be 
so keen to find out what Zenas is doing?” Ned asked 
in a half-whisper as he ran, and Paul replied in a tone 
of mystification: 


254 


THE AEROPLANE 


‘T’m getting all mixed up, and if this mystery 
isn’t cleared soon, I’ll be running around asking 
questions same as Daniel is doing.” 

Five minutes later the boys were come to where 
Mr. Simpson was standing at the head of the harbor 
gazing at the Neva. The yacht showed many a light, 
as if all on board were astir, and Paul asked won- 
deringly : 

‘‘What is going on?” 

For a reply Mr. Simpson pointed toward the east- 
ern sky where could be seen the red and blue hues 
which gave token of the coming sun. 

“But it won’t be light yet for an hour,” the lad 
said half to himself, and his father added: 

“Sawtelle wants to make an early start, and by 
the time he is well clear of the island it will be day- 
break.” 

“Why did you call me?” 

“I thought perhaps you might like to see the Neva 
get under way.” 

“You stopped shouting as if someone was choking 
you.” 

“That comes very near being the truth of the mat- 
ter,” Mr. Simpson replied laughingly. “Zenas has 
some kind of a bee in his bonnet, and appears afraid 
to have any noise made just now. I suppose he be- 
lieves that he has found traces of Bingham — perhaps 
fancies he can capture him, as he and you thought last 
summer.” 

Paul was eager to tell his father of what he had 
seen and suspected, therefore as they stood watching 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


255 


the evidences of activity on board the yacht, he gave 
a detailed account of that which seemed so mysterious, 
concluding by repeating the words of Daniel Downs, 
and asking, when the story was finished : 

‘^Now what do you make of all that?” 

‘Tt is evident Zenas believes he has discovered 
something which escaped the notice of all when we 
made thorough search of the island; but he is making 
the biggest kind of a mistake if he thinks Bingham 
is here.” 

‘‘What has half-flood or half-ebb tide to do with 
his suppositions or mistakes?” Ned asked eagerly, 
and Mr. Simpson laughed heartily. 

“Zenas dearly loves to be mysterious, and has used 
those terms to puzzle you,” he replied carelessly, and 
Paul added emphatically: 

“It is certain he has puzzled Daniel Downs; but 
how do you account for Sam’s being at the cove with 
a basket on his arm?” 

“He might have counted on finding lobsters under 
the rocks while the tide was low.” 

“But he ran as if afraid, when he heard your 
voice.” 

“I am willing to admit, Paul, that some portions 
of your story have a mysterious ring; but I will not 
agree that it is possible for Bingham to have re- 
mained in hiding after we made such a thorough 
search, nor can I believe, after his past bitter expe- 
rience, Daniel Downs would do otherwise than act 
honestly by us. There goes the Nera's anchor, and 
as soon as she leaves port you lads had better go to 


256 


THE AEROPLANE 


bed in order to make up for the sleep you failed to 
get earlier in the night.” 

“You’ll have nothing to do but look after the foxes 
during the next three or four days,” Mr. Sawtelle 
shouted from the wheel-house of the yacht, “and then 
we’ll get about our aeroplane, making certain this 
time that the work isn’t in vain.” 

“A good voyage to you!” Mr. Simpson replied, 
and in another moment the screw of the yacht sent 
her ahead toward the entrance of the harbor, Ned 
saying half to himself as the dainty craft gathered 
speed : 

“If it wasn’t for finding out what Zenas is about, 
I’d wish we could be on board her, Paul. She surely 
is a dandy, and I’d like to take a cruise on such a 
craft when we wasn’t chasing a tramp steamer with 
mighty little hope of being able to pick her up.” 

“We’ll have a chance for that sort of fun after 
Mr. Sawtelle has built his crow-chaser, as Zenas calls 
it; but just now I couldn’t be persuaded to leave this 
island, for, even though father doesn’t put any great 
faith in what seems to us so mysterious. I’m con- 
vinced we’ll have a surprise here before we’re many 
hours older,” and Paul whispered the words lest he 
be overheard by Mr. Downs, who appeared at this 
moment coming from the direction of his old home. 

“Is Mr. Sawtelle goin’ to leave us?” the old man 
asked, and Paul’s father replied carelessly : 

“He’s going for materials with which to build an- 
other aeroplane.” 

“Takin’ a mighty early start, eh?” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


257 


“No earlier than was agreed upon last night. He 
is in a hurry to get back, and hopes to be at his 
destination before sunset. When we begin work in 
the tent again, a sharper watch must be kept, unless 
we have laid the worthy Mr. Bingham by the heels 
before then.’^ 

“Have you got on his track?’' Mr. Downs cried 
sharply, and the boys fancied he looked alarmed. 

“I only wish we had; but it is certain he can’t 
come ashore on this island many times without our 
being able to catch him.” 

“True for you, sir,” and the old man looked as if 
relieved in mind, so the boys believed. “I didn’t 
know but you’d got an inklin’ of where he might be 
this very minute.” 

Mr. Simpson turned quickly, looking at Daniel 
Downs so sharply that the old man moved about un- 
easily as he added : 

“That’s what I was hopin’, sir, ’cause I don’t feel 
safe a single minute while he’s skulkin’ ’round ready 
to pay off old scores. I’m afraid we’re bound to 
have a heap of trouble before he’s through with his 
monkey shines.” 

“If you and your sons do as you have agreed, there 
is little fear Bingham can work very much harm. 
He has already done a great deal of mischief. I’ll 
admit; but we are now aware of his intentions, and 
it will be strange if all of us on this island can’t 
keep him at a proper distance, or lodge him once more 
where he belongs.” Then turning to the boys, Mr. 
Simpson added, “Better go to bed now, lads, for you 


258 


THE AEROPLANE 


will be called on to do guard duty when night comes 
again, and it stands you in hand to be wakeful.” 

Paul and Ned could do no less than act upon this 
suggestion; but they had no inclination for sleep. It 
would have pleased them better to take station on 
some high point of the island where they might over- 
look Zenas, and, perhaps, discover what the tide had 
in common with his belief that John Ed Bingham 
would soon be made prisoner. 

Therefore it was that, on arriving at the "Totel” 
they were yet further mystified by seeing Master 
Cushing in the act of entering the building with the 
air of one who has nothing better with which to 
occupy himself than the killing of time, and Paul 
cried as he hurriedly followed : 

“Now we’ll make him explain what he’s about, or 
know the reason of his refusal to speak!” 

Master Cushing did not show any desire to avoid 
the lads. On the contrary, he was in the room usu- 
ally occupied by them, evidently awaiting their arrival, 
and Paul said impatiently: 

“Now I supopse you’ll be willing to tell us the 
meaning of your maneuvering around the cove on the 
easterly side of the island?” 

“Wa’al, I can’t say as I’m jest ready to make a 
clean breast of it yet awhile. Wait till the tide is 
about half-ebb, an’ then, unless I’m way out of my 
reckonin’. I’ll show somethin’ that’ll make your eyes 
stick out.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


ZENAS MAKES A DISCOVERY 

Master Cushing’s reply to Paul’s question was not 
calculated to satisfy either of the boys. They failed 
to understand why he could not explain the meaning 
of his mysterious movements as well then as at any 
other time, and his frequent reference to the tide 
very nearly exasperated them. 

‘T’m tired of hearing about half-flood or half-ebb, 
as if the height of the tide had anything to do with 
the destruction of the aeroplane!” Paul cried in what 
was very like an angry tone. ‘‘What’s the sense of 
your trying to put on such an air of mystery? You 
either know whether you have seen any traces of 
John Ed, or if you failed in the search, and why 
not say as much outright, without making a lot of 
talk as if the rise and fall of the sea had anything to 
do with the matter?” 

“It has all to do with it, as I’ll show you when the 
tide is about half-ebb, ’cordin’s I said before. The 
trouble is, Paul, while I’m feelin’ about as certain as 
a fellow can that I’m on the trail of Bingham, it ain’t 
what might be called a fact, an’ I don’t want to give 
all hands a chance of laughin’ at me. I’m believin’ 
I’ll come mighty nigh gettin’ my hands on John Ed 
’twixt now an’ another sunset; but it may turn out 
that I’m makin’ a bloomin’ fool of myself.” 

“Why not tell us what you suspect, and then if 
it doesn’t turn out as you’d figured, there couldn’t be 
259 


26 o 


THE AEROPLANE 


any chance for us to call you a fool?’^ Ned asked, 
and Zenas replied gravely: 

‘Tf I hold my tongue till the tide is about half-ebb, 
there’ll be no show of your callin’ me one thing or 
another, an’ until that time comes I can’t explain mat- 
ters so you’ll understand what I’m drivin’ at. That’s 
the straight goods, lads, an’ s’posen you let things 
run ’cordin’ to my idees? It won’t be long to wait, 
an’ you’ll soon know jest why I’m holdin’ off in what 
seems to you like a silly way.” 

After such an appeal it was much the same as 
impossible for the boys to urge him further, although 
both felt confident that his talk about the tide had 
nothing whatsoever in common with the search for 
the man who had destroyed the aeroplane. 

There seemed to be nothing for them to do save 
go to bed, as Mr. Simpson had suggested, and this 
they did; but not to sleep, for two very good reasons. 
First, they were not accustomed to lying abed in the 
daytime, and the morning sun was streaming in 
through the windows suggesting duties to be 
performed outside. Then again, even though it 
had yet been dark, they were so excited over the 
partial promise of Zenas to explain the mystery, that 
neither lad could have crossed over into Dreamland 
with so much on his mind which promised excitement. 

However, they remained in bed, each striving to do 
as he had been bidden, and indulging in no conversa- 
tion although they were eager to discuss the situation, 
until Master Cushing, opening the door sufficiently 
to admit of his looking into the room, said curtly: 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


261 


'T’m allowin' the tide will be about right for my 
little trick by the time you've had a bit of sich a 
breakfast as Mrs. Downs can fix up. After eatin' 
aboard the Neva, an' knowin' how victuals can be 
cooked, it gives a fellow pain to see her daub every- 
thing, from meat to beans, with lard." 

“We won't mourn very much over her way of 
cooking if you’re ready at last to explain how John 
Ed Bingham can have any connection with the 
tide,” Paul said laughingly as he sprang from the 
bed to make a hurried toilet, Ned foftowing his 
example. 

Zenas did not linger to go into details as to his 
proposed movements; but disappeared quickly, shout- 
ing as he went down the stairs : 

“I'll see that what the Downs family call breakfast 
is put on the table right away, so don’t spend overly 
much time primpin', for I count to leave this hotel 
inside of ten minutes, else we may be too late." 

In no other way could Master Cushing have has- 
tened the movements of the boys so effectively as by 
suggesting that the seeming mystery might not be ex- 
plained if they delayed, and he had hardly more than 
warned Mrs. Downs of their coming before Paul and 
Ned entered the dining-room, 

Daniel Downs himself was there, sitting by the 
stove smoking. Paul had a suspicion that the old 
man was loitering around the building in order to 
know what they might be intending to do, and this 
suspicion became almost a certainty when he asked, a^ 
the three seated themsdyes the table : 


262 THE AEROPLANE 

'T reckon you’ve got lots of business on hand this 
mornin’, eh?” 

“That’s where you’re makin’ the mistake of your 
life, Mr. Downs,” Zenas replied quickly, as if fearing 
one of the boys might reveal the secret he was striv- 
ing so jealously to guard. “Until the Nera comes 
back with stuff to build another crow-chaser, we’re 
much the same as our own masters, with nothin’ to 
do except stand guard when the owners of the island 
say the word.” 

“Wa’al now, from the way you have been hurry in’ 
mother, I kind’er allowed you had somethin’ special 
on hand,” the old man said reflectively; but Paul 
took note that he kept his eyes fixed on Zenas as if 
to watch the expression on the latter’s face. 

“An’ that’s what we have,” was the prompt and 
unexpected reply. “I’ve been on this island nigh to 
a year, an’ have never been out fishin’, so it kind’er 
struck me that this would be a good day to try my 
luck.” 

“So it will, Zenas, so it will,” and Mr. Downs ap- 
peared to be deeply interested in the plan. “I’m 
fixed ’bout the same way so far as time goes, an’ I’ll 
show you a spot where a boat can be loaded in one 
tide, if so be you’re wantin’ good sport.” 

“It won’t pay for us to drag you off with us, Mr. 
Downs,” Zenas replied as if the old farmer’s com- 
fort was the one thing uppermost in his mind. “We 
count on tryin’ the Hampton boat out a bit before 
settlin’ down to real fishin’, an’ there’s no knowin’ 
when we’ll be back.” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


263 


“So you’re here before sunset, Fll be satisfied,” 
Mr. Downs said, laying his pipe on the mantel as 
if making ready for the excursion. “It’s mighty dull 
work loafin’ ’round here day after day, an’ I’ll be 
glad to have a change.” 

Zenas was evidently at loss for a reply. The 
boys understood that he did not intend Mr. Downs 
should accompany them; but how it was to be pre- 
vented, save at the expense of telling him plumply 
he could not go, they failed to make out. 

Zenas apparently gave undivided attention to the 
meal from this moment, as if he was well content 
to have Daniel Downs as a companion on the alleged 
fishing trip, and when his hunger had been satisfied 
he said as he rose from the table, having first made 
certain the boys were ready to accompany him : 

“Get the gear together, Mr. Downs, an’ while 
you’re about that job the boys an’ me’ll give the 
Hampton boat a try-out. It ain’t no ways certain 
the motor is in first-class shape, an’ it won’t do to 
run very far to sea without makin’ sure we can get 
back.” 

“How far are you goin’?” the old man asked sus- 
piciously, as if he had doubts regarding Master Cush- 
ing’s real intentions. 

“Wa’al, that ain’t to be said off-hand, seein’s we 
don’t know jest how much work is to be done; but 
we’ll hug close to the land, so’s all you’ll have to do 
is keep an eye out in order to tell ’bout when we’ve 
got the motor down to our likin’. The worst of 
these ’ere power boats is that you never know when 


264 


THE AEROPLANE 


they’re in what might be called runnin’ shape. If I 
ever own one of my own Til have a double action on 
her, so that when one set of machinery won’t run, 
the other can take its place.” 

The last portion of this remark had been uttered 
after Zenas was in the open air, Daniel Downs fol- 
lowing him to the door, and when he had come to an 
end of speaking Master Cushing walked rapidly in 
the direction of the harbor, apparently giving no heed 
as to whether the boys followed. 

‘"Are we really going out in the Hampton?” Paul 
asked when they were so far from the ^‘hotel” that 
there was no danger the question could be overheard 
by the old man. 

‘‘We are for certain, an’ Daniel ain’t cornin’ with 
us, not if I’ve got a speakin’ acquaintance with my- 
self. The old fox knows that somethin’ is in the 
air which John Ed would like to hear, an’ counts on 
findin’ out, if so be we’re sich fools as to give him 
half a chance.” 

“But he’ll soon know that you don’t intend to come 
back after him,” Ned suggested, and Zenas replied 
laughingly : 

“By that time he can have the Hampton boat all 
to himself, in case your father is willin’. I’m allowin’ 
that the first part of our job, which is to show you 
lads what the tide has to do with John Ed, will be 
finished before he can say for certain that we’re 
through foolin’ with the motor.” 

When Zenas and his companions arrived at the 
shore of the harbor, Mr. Downs could be seen com- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 265 

ing from the ^^hotel” as if to join them, and Paul 
whispered warningly: 

‘^Move lively unless youTe willing he should 
come aboard at once.’’ 

'^He’s too late by considerable,” Zenas said with a 
chuckle of satisfaction as he pushed the Downs dory 
into the water, motioning for the boys to get aboard. 
“This ’ere is the only small boat left in the harbor, 
an’ it’ll puzzle him a good bit to follow us, unless he 
takes to swimmin’, which I don’t allow he’s willin’ 
to do.” 

Five minutes later, when Mr. Downs, with a certain 
amount of fishing gear in his arms, arrived at the 
shore, the boys and Zenas were aboard the Hampton 
boat and the motor in motion. 

“That seems to be workin’ all right,” the old man 
cried shrilly, and Zenas replied as he stooped over the 
motor after setting the course: 

“She misses a stroke every now an’ then, an’ till 
we can put a stop to that kind of business it ain’t no 
ways safe to run very far from the land. Stay where 
you are, an’ we’ll soon be back, if so be this bloomin’ 
thing does as it should.” 

If Daniel Downs made reply the occupants of the 
Hampton boat did not hear him, for Zenas had hardly 
more than ceased speaking when she rounded the 
northerly point of the harbor, running as smoothly 
as if just from the builders’ hands, and Paul sug- 
gested : 

“He’ll take good care to see where we’re going, 
for it’s only necessary to stand back of the house in 


266 THE AEROPLANE 

order to keep us in view, unless we’re bound on a 
long cruise.” 

*Tm willin’ he should have an eye on us, an’ I 
reckon that’s what he’ll do. If he’s any the wiser 
when we get back inter the harbor. I’ll lay right down 
an’ let him use me for a door-mat,” Master Cushing 
replied carelessly, thus increasing the mystification 
of the boys, who failed to understand how the secret 
might be revealed if a watcher could gain no idea of 
what they were about. 

Zenas did not waste his time in explanations. He 
stood at the helm, sending the Hampton on a north- 
erly course until she was well clear of the reef at 
the mouth of Swallow-tailed Cove, and then swung 
her around until she was heading into the east. 

“Where are we going?” Ned asked in perplexity. 

“Only down as far as that ’ere little cove where 
I left you on watch, unless it seems best to run clean 
’round the island in order to mix old Daniel up a 
bit,” Zenas replied, and then he held his peace until 
they were nearly opposite the place where the boys 
had seen Sam with a basket on his arm, when he said 
sharply : 

“Now slow her down, Paul, till she’s barely movin’, 
so’s to give old Daniel the idee that what I said ’bout 
the motor was straight goods. Then keep your eyes 
on that ’ere point which runs out on the southerly 
side.” 

“What do you expect us to see there?” Paul asked 
impatiently, for it was beginning to appear to him 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 267 

as if Master Cushing was disposed to make sport of 
them. 

'TCs a little more’n half-ebb, as I figger it, an’ I’m 
askin’ you to look sharp at the end of the point, close 
down by the water.” 

“What are we to see?” Paul demanded. 

“Somethin’ that looks like a hole in the rock, where 
the surf runs in an’ out.” 

“Yes, I can see that,” and Paul spoke sharply now, 
for surely such a formation of the ledge had nothing 
to do with Bingham. “The waves have worn a hole 
there, nothing more; you can find plenty such places 
along the shore.” 

“Now I ain’t so bloomin’ certain of that,” Zenas 
said quietly. “Stop the motor, an’ we’ll drift ’round 
a spell, with you watchin’ the hole when the water 
runs out.” 

“It’s bigger than I fancied,” Ned said half to him- 
self as a receding wave left exposed an opening into 
which one might have believed the bow of the Hamp- 
ton could be run but for the restless dashing to and 
fro of the waters. 

“Yes, I allow it is,” Master Cushing muttered. 
“Keep your eye on it long enough, an’ you’ll see it 
grow larger as the tide ebbs.” 

“But what has that to do with the man who de- 
stroyed the aeroplane?” Paul insisted. 

“Unless I was mightily mistaken last night, there’s 
a dory inside that ’ere hole, an’ when the time comes 
right it’ll be run out by John Ed himself, on his way 


268 


THE AEROPLANE 


to Seaview, or some other place where he can make a 
dishonest dollar/’ 

‘‘Do you mean to say that Bingham is inside ?” Paul 
cried in amazement. 

“That’s exactly what I’m tellin’ you, lad,” and now 
Zenas spoke in a grave tone. 

“But he would be drowned when the tide came in.” 

“There’s where you’re makin’ a big mistake. That 
’ere place, unless I’m way off my reckonin’, runs 
inshore a long bit, an’ I'm dead certain you’ll find an 
openin’ in the top of the ledge, for I’ve seen it. It’s 
where Sam Downs counted to leave the grub he had 
in his basket when you lads were watchin’ him.” 

“I don’t understand it!” Paul exclaimed, and Zenas 
continued, speaking in the same grave tone: 

“When the tide has ebbed three or four hours it’s 
possible for a man to put a dory squarely inter that 
’ere hole, pervidin’ the surf ain’t runnin’ too high. 
Once inside he can live aboard the dory, for there 
must be room enough to float her without jammin’ 
the craft against the top. Then, with an air-hole in 
the top, same’s I count to show you, what’s to hinder 
John Ed from stayin’ in hidin’ as long as he pleases? 
I ain’t sayin’ the thing could be done in the winter, 
nor jest after a big* storm; but now, with the sea 
what you might call calm, it’s the greatest snap for 
a fellow like Bingham that could be found.” 

“Do you know if there is a dory inside?” Ned 
asked, while Paul sat staring at the black opening in 
the rocks as if doubting the evidence of his own 
senses. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


269 


saw one there when the tide was a bit lower 
than it is now, an ’took good care to have an eye on 
the place till there was no longer any chance of its 
bein’ taken out, owin’ to the height of the water. 
Now jest stop to think at what time the crow-chaser 
must have been knocked to pieces. We allowed it 
to be after midnight. Wa’al, how was the tide then? 
If John Ed had been hidin’ hereabouts, he could get 
outside an’ back before daylight, pervidin’ he didn’t 
wait till the hole was covered agin. As I figger it, 
he can’t shove a boat out of that ’ere place till the 
tide has ebbed a full hour longer, so we may as well 
run back to the harbor an’ tell old Daniel it won’t be 
safe to put to sea in this ’ere craft till she’s in better 
shape.” 

‘‘It’s likely he is looking at us this very minute,” 
Ned suggested, and Zenas replied carelessly: 

“Wa’al, what if he is? What has he seen? The 
motor went back on us, an’ we’ve been foolin’ with 
it, that’s all. Of course, if he’s helpin’ John Ed as 
I allow, he’s gettin’ mighty suspicious ; but what 
does it amount to? He don’t dare lift an e3^e-lid, 
else he’ll give himself clean away. Start her up, 
Paul, for I’ve got considerable to do ’twixt now an’ 
next ebb tide.” 

When the Hampton boat was in motion once more, 
and had been swung around to run back over the 
course, Paul asked in a tone which told of the be- 
wilderment that had come upon him with the reve- 
lation of Master Cushing’s secret: 

“What do you intend to do now? If you are not 


2/0 


THE AEROPLANE 


mistaken, Bingham is inside that cavern, waiting for 
a good opportunity to come out when it’s so dark 
the watchers on the island will not be able to see him 
as he pulls seaward.” 

‘Wa’al, lad, I’m not mistaken; that much you can 
count on as a fact. It may be John Ed ain’t there; 
but some livin’ man is, an’ one or more of the Downs 
family not only knows it, but is feedin’ the scoundrel 
till he can get away, or do more mischief. I haven’t 
had a chance to make up my mind jest how we’ll trap 
him; but you can be certain I’m goin’ to have the 
credit of doin’ it without any help from your father 
or Mr. Sawtelle.” 

“What proof have you that a man is there?” Paul 
asked. 

“I’ve seen one end of the dory, an’ there wasn’t 
need of lookin’ farther, ’cause if a boat is inside, 
somebody’s with her; but if more proof was needed, 
you got it when Sam came down there with a basket 
most likely filled with grub, an’ ran away when he 
thought your father was cornin’. That’s all I need 
to tell me Bingham is curled up inside the cave, or 
whatever you call it, an’ I’m the one who’ll pull him 
out.” 

“How?” 

“That’s what I haven’t settled on yet. I want you 
lads to see his air-hole on the top of the ledge, an’ 
then, when the tide rises so far that he can’t sneak 
out, we’ll chew the thing over till we’ve figgered on 
the best way of yankin’ him in.” 

“Why not tell father about it?” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


271 

’Cause he’s been so cocksure John Ed couldn’t 
be on the island, that I want to jar him a bit.” 

‘‘He already suspects, owing to questions which 
Daniel Downs asked, that the old man and his sons 
may be trying to play him false again, and I know he 
would believe as you do, after seeing what you have 
shown us.” 

“He couldn’t help it,” Zenas replied grimly; “but 
I ain’t countin’ on givin’ him the chance yet a 
while.” 

“Don’t forget that when you and I tried to capture 
Bingham by our own two selves, we came to grief,” 
Paul suggested with the faintest suspicion of a smile, 
and Master Cushing replied angrily: 

“I’m keepin’ all that mighty fresh in my mind, lad, 
an’ it’s why I allow to get the best of John Ed this 
time without lettin’ anybody else interfere. If you 
hadn’t been in the same muss with me. I’d held on to 
this secret a spell longer; but it’s your right to get 
square, same’s it is mine, an’ now’s the time.” 

It seemed surprising to Paul that no other had hit 
upon the possibility of a boat’s being hidden among 
the reefs, although neither he nor Ned had any doubt 
but that the old smuggler was in the cavern as Master 
Cushing insisted. It was not reasonable to suppose 
that any other man, simply in order to work mischief 
when nothing in the way of money could be gained, 
would take such desperate chances. 

“Well, unless Sam succeeded in giving him the 
contents of that basket, after he was frightened away 
by Mr. Simpson, the old fellow must be hungry by 


2.J2 


THE AEROPLANE 


this time, or in need of water,” Ned said half to him- 
self, and Zenas wheeled about to cry sharply: 

took mighty good care that neither Sam, nor 
any member of the Downs family, had a chance to 
get at him, an’ it’s ’cause he may be in need of some- 
thin’ to eat or drink that I’m lookin’ for him to make 
a break to-night. But he’ll be a good one if he gets 
off scot free!” 

^‘Suppose you were on watch, and he came out, how 
could you stop him?” Paul asked. ‘Tf you stood on 
the point he’d push off in spite of you, and in case 
you stayed outside in this boat, he wouldn’t be fool 
enough to make the attempt.” 

^That’s what must be figgered out ’twixt now an’ 
sunset. We’re gettin’ nigh the harbor, an’ I reckon 
you’d better be foolin’ with the motor so’s to kind’er 
back up the story I’m goin’ to give Daniel,” Master 
Cushing suggested, and the conversation, so far as 
concerned the man who might possibly be hiding in 
the cavern, came to an end for the time being. 

When the Hampton boat entered the harbor again 
she was moving slowly, her motor ceasing to work 
now and then, and finally, as if after considerable 
difficulty, she came to anchor at her old moorings. 

Mr. Downs was on the shore as Zenas and the 
boys scrambled into the dory which had been towed 
astern, and shouted with something very like anger 
in his tone : 

‘‘How’s she workin’?” 

“We’ve got to give her a reg’lar overhaulin’, an’ 
don’t feel like tacklin’ the job jest now, seein’s w^ 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


273 


didn’t get overly much sleep last night,” Zenas re- 
plied cheerily. “I reckon v^e’ll have to put off our 
fishin’ trip till to-morrow.” 

^ Where have you been?” Mr. Downs asked as if 
he had remained in total ignorance of the Hampton 
boat’s movements. 

“ ’Bout halfway ’round the island. I reckoned 
you knew ’bout it, seein’s you’ve been up to the hotel 
all the while.” 

This last was guesswork on Zenas’s part; but the 
chance shot hit the target fairly, for the old man re- 
plied almost sheepishly: 

‘T was up there gettin’ the fishin’ gear together, 
that’s all.” 

‘‘An’ I don’t reckon you saw anythin’ of us, eh?” 

“Wa’al, it strikes me I got a glimpse when you 
rounded Swallow-tailed Cove; but I wasn’t thinkin’ 
of watchin’ you, ’cause I allowed you’d come back 
here as soon as you could.” 

“Now that’s queer,” and Zenas ceased rowing to 
stare at Mr. Downs as if in surprise. “Do you know, 
I really thought you was gettin’ kind’er .nervous, 
thinkin’ we counted on givin’ you the slip, an’ so kept 
a mighty close watch on what we was doin’. Of 
course it didn’t make any difference to me, though 
I felt sore at the idee that you’d harbor sich a sus- 
picion ag’in as good a friend as I’ve always been, 
except ’long ’bout that time when John Ed hit me a 
clip over the head an’ you felt dreadful bad ’cause 
Mr. Simpson wanted to find me.” 

“Now what’er you bringin’ up old sores for?” 


274 


THE AEROPLANE 


Mr. Downs whined as Zenas bent to the oars once 
more. “All that is past an’ gone; I went wrong, an’ 
did all I could to square up for it, so there’s no use 
naggin’.” 

“Why bless your heart, Daniel, I wouldn’t nag for 
the best silver dollar that was ever squeezed out’er 
the mint. It jest come inter my mind that we’d allers 
been friends, except ’long ’bout that time, an’ I spit 
it out. As you say, it’s all past an’ gone. Neither 
you nor me would be so foolish as to play any more 
games of that kind, an’ it wasn’t the fair thing to get 
the idee inter your head that I didn’t want you to go 
out fishin’ with us.” 

Then Zenas ran the dory’s bow up on the sand, 
Daniel Downs standing idly by while the boys and 
Master Cushing pulled her high beyond reach of the 
tide, and when the three had left the craft in good 
position, he followed as they went slowly toward the 
“hotel.” 

“You lads are to go inside, givin’ me a chance to 
slip over on the east shore,” Zenas whispered as they 
walked. “I ain’t countin’ on givin’ John Ed a 
chance to sneak out this tide, though it don’t stand 
to reason he’d make a try for it in the daytime; 
but we’ll be certain. Don’t tell your father any- 
thin’, and’ we’ll fix up some kind of a plan for trappin’ 
that old smuggler before midnight.” 

Master Cushing entered the building by the front 
door, while Daniel Downs went around to the back 
in order to gain the kitchen, and after assuring him- 
self that the old man was in conversation with Mrs. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


275 


Downs, Zenas retraced his steps, walking swiftly over 
that ledge that shut out a view of the tiny horse-shoe- 
shaped cove from the ‘‘hotel/^ 

Not until the boys were in their own room, with 
the door open so they might see if anyone came up 
the stairway, did either venture to speak of what had 
been learned during the morning, and then Ned said 
as he paced slowly to and fro: 

“Now we’ve got back, it seems as if we must have 
been dreaming. The idea that John Ed Bingham is 
snugly in hiding, ready to work further mischief, or 
sneak away, as best suits his purpose!” 

“But we’re not absolutely certain he is there,” Paul 
replied as if unwilling to believe that which seemed 
to have been proven a fact. “Zenas may have been 

mistaken as to seeing a dory inside the cavern ” 

“But we were not mistaken when we saw Sam go 
down on the rocks with what was probably food in 
his basket,” Ned interrupted. 

“We are not certain it was food, or that he in- 
tended to let the basket through what Zenas calls 
an air-hole. Then again, seeing a dory, and guessing 
that Sam went to carry supplies to someone who 
was hidden, doesn’t prove that Bingham is the man 
in the cavern.” 

“What is the sense, Paul, in trying to make out 
anything different from that which Zenas has told?” 
Ned cried almost petulantly. “You know very well 
there isn’t another man in the world who would do 
all that has been done, or stay hidden in such a place 
in the hope of working further mischief I” 


276 


THE AEROPLANE 


‘‘You’re right, Ned, I do know it, and yet it doesn’t 
seem possible. I have a great mind to tell father the 
whole story at once, regardless of what Zenas has 
planned ” 

‘Tt wouldn’t be fair. He has trusted in us, and 
we have no right, if it is to be honest dealing, to be- 
tray him.” 

“I’m not so certain of that,” Paul muttered. 
“Last summer he had a plan laid for the capture of 
Bingham, and you know how it turned out. Suppose 
something of the same kind should happen now, and 
John Ed gave us the slip as he did then, don’t you 
fancy father might blame us for not telling him, so 
he could make sure the villain was captured?” 

“Yes, most likely he would,” Ned replied thought- 
fully; “but at the same time we wouldn’t be playing 
fair with Zenas, if we did that very thing which he 
has cautioned us against.” 

“It’s of greater importance Bingham be taught 
such a lesson as will prevent him from trying any 
more games, than that Zenas should have the satis- 
faction of capturing him single-handed. Besides, I 
can’t figure out how the smuggler can be caught. Of 
course Zenas wouldn’t think of shooting, and yet 
nothing but a rifle could halt him if he once pushed 
out of that hole in his dory, while we were on 
shore.” 

“At least wait till you hear what plan Zenas has 
cooked up,” Ned cried, as if believing Paul was on the 
point of going directly to his father. “Give Cushing a 
fair chance, and then, if the scheme doesn’t appear 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 277 

good, tell him what you propose to do in regard to 
speaking with your father/’ 

^^All right, I’ll wait ; but he shall be made to under- 
stand that no foolish chances are to be ” 

Paul ceased speaking very suddenly, for at that in- 
stant Sam Downs came up the stairs, looking curiously 
around as if expecting to see something more than 
ordinary. 

‘AVhere’s Zenas Cushing?” he demanded peremp- 
torily as he entered the room. 

'^Around here somewhere, I suppose,” Paul re- 
plied, striving to speak in a careless tone. ‘^He came 
into the building at the same time your father did.” 

‘'But he isn’t here now,” Master Downs cried 
sharply. ‘T’ve been over the whole place, an’ he ain’t 
in it.” 

“Well, suppose he isn’t, I can’t see that it is any 
business of yours or mine,” and now Paul was angry, 
for Sam’s manner was almost offensive. 

“I’ve got to find Zenas,” Master Downs added, 
speaking more mildly, “an’ I don’t see why you want’er 
keep him out’er the way.” 

“Look here, Sam,” and Paul turned sharply on the 
visitor. “Try to bear in mind the fact that we have 
no idea of keeping Zenas out of anyone’s way; but 
even though we were so disposed, it would be no affair 
of yours or your father’s. One thing is certain; he 
hasn’t left the island since we came in from trying out 
the Hampton boat, and I advise you to search for 
him, or go to my father and demand the information 
as you have from us.” 


278 


THE AEROPLANE 


‘‘There’s no need of gettin’ grouty ’bout a little 
thing like that/’ and it was evident that Master 
Downs was more than a trifle confused. “I jest 
wanted to see him a minute, an’ allowed you’d know 
where he was, seein’s how the three of you have been 
thicker’n thieves these last few days.” 

“Meaning that we have been together since Bing- 
ham destroyed the aeroplane in order to pay off what 
most likely he calls old scores?” Ned demanded 
angrily, and Sam asked as if in surprise: 

“Have you really found out that it was John Ed 
who played hob with the crow-chaser?” 

“If it wasn’t him, who do you fancy would do such 
a thing?” Paul cried, and Master Downs, turning 
on his heel, replied carelessly: 

“You fellers who come from Seaview where the 
folks allow to know ’bout everything that’s goin’ on, 
ought’er be able to tell better’n I can. If you don’t 
know where Zenas is, that settles it, an’ there’s no 
need of thro win’ John Ed in my face every time I 
come where you are.” 

Then Master Downs stalked out of the room as if 
he had been injured by wrongful suspicions, and the 
two lads gazed at each other in silence, now thor- 
oughly convinced that at least one member of the 
Downs family knew the secret, if secret there was, 
of the horse-shoe-shaped cove on the eastern shore. 


CHAPTER XY 

ZENAS OUTWITTED 

Paul was not in a very enviable frame of mind 
when Sam Downs left the room with what sounded 
much like mutinous words on his lips. It seemed 
to the lad as if it was his duty to repeat the story 
told by Zenas, to his father, in order that every pre- 
caution might be taken against the escape of Bing- 
ham, if indeed the old smuggler was hiding in that 
odd place of refuge on the eastern shore. 

There was no question in Paul’s mind regarding 
the loyalty of Zenas Cushing. He believed he knew 
beyond the shadow of a doubt that the young fellow 
would do everything in his power to capture John 
Ed ; but, as had been shown during the previous sum- 
mer, Master Cushing’s plans were not always per- 
fect, and surely there were many chances the scoundrel 
might make good an escape, unless all employed on 
the island were made acquainted with that which had 
been discovered. 

Another reason why Paul believed it his duty to 
go to his father with all he had heard and seen during 
the day, was the behavior of Sam Downs. Surely 
there were good grounds for doubting his loyalty to 
Silver Fox Farm, and just at this time, while Zenas 
was trying to cover himself with glory by capturing 
Bingham single-handed, it was possible for this son 
of Daniel Downs to work very much in the way of 
mischief. 


279 


28 o 


THE AEROPLANE 


Ned, understanding that Paul was debating in his 
mind as to just what course should be pursued, in- 
sisted stoutly that all which had been learned, with 
the exception of this new phase in Sam^s behavior, 
had been imparted to them as a profound secret, on 
the strength of their implied promise not to make it 
public. 

‘Tt wouldn’t be using Zenas right,” the lad cried 
hotly. ‘^He knows very well he made a mistake last 
summer, and won’t take any chances this time. Your 
father convinced himself that Bingham couldn’t be 
hidden on the island, and was content with such sup- 
posed knowledge. Zenas, without assistance from 
anyone, learns the truth, and has a right to keep the 
information to- ” 

‘‘Not while he is in the employ of Mr. Sawtelle and 
father,” Paul interrupted hotly. “What he learned 
was gained during the time when he was paid for 
doing his best toward protecting the island, and of 
right belongs to the owners of the farm.” 

“But you mustn’t forget that he counted on keep- 
ing the whole matter a secret until such time as he 
could lay his plans for capturing John Ed, and I 
claim, whether he was in the right or no, that we 
are not honest if we repeat what he told us in a 
friendly way simply to gratify our curiosity.” 

“Suppose Bingham succeeds in giving us the slip?” 

“That would affect Zenas rather than you or 

“What do you fancy father would say if we kept 
our mouths shut, and Zenas failed in his purpose?” 

“I believe he would agree, after knowing how we 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


281 


learned the secret, that it wouldn’t have been honest 
for us to do other than as I propose,” Ned replied 
emphatically, and before he could say more, Ernest 
Downs came into the room breathless and evidently 
excited. 

'Took here, you fellers, Zenas Cushing says you’re 
to come straight over to that ’ere little cove on the 
east side — says you’ll know where it is, an’ he don’t 
want you to waste any time about it either.” 

^What’s the matter?” Paul asked as he started 
toward the door, and at the same time realizing that 
now was the moment when it might be possible to 
learn whether Ernest knew as much regarding the 
supposed hiding-place of Bingham, as he believed he 
did. 

‘T dunno ; but he’s mightily on his ear ’bout some- 
thin’,” Ernest replied as he followed Paul, Ned 
bringing up the rear, and in this order they left the 
building, walking at a swift pace. 

‘What has Zenas been doing on the east side?” 
Paul asked as they set off on a course which would 
lead them to the horse-shoe-shaped cove. 

“Wa’al now, that’s what beats me. An’ the funny 
part of it is, Sam’s jest about havin’ a fit over it. 
He’s been as grumpy as a bear with a sore head 
’bout somethin’ he thinks Zenas is up to, an’ take 
it all in all. I’m gettin’ mightily mixed up.” 

Ernest spoke in a truthful tone. Both Paul and 
Ned decided on the instant that he could not have 
assumed the look of perplexity which he wore, and 
thus did it seem reasonable to believe that if Sam was 


282 


THE AEROPLANE 


disloyal to the interests of Silver Fox Farm, his 
brother could not be charged with having any part 
in the dishonesty. 

*^How did you happen to see Zenas?’^ Ned asked, 
and Ernest replied promptly: 

‘‘Wa’al, to tell the truth I was sneakin' 'round there 
tryin' to find out what he was doin'." 

“Why did it concern you?" Paul asked with a note 
of suspicion in his tone. 

“ ’Cause Sam was makin' such a fuss. When I 
got home father an’ Sam was havin' the biggest kind 
of a talk, an’ didn’t seem to want me to hear. I 
made out it was 'bout somethin' Zenas had done, so 
kind’er got the idee that I'd find out." 

“And you saw Zenas?" 

“Yes, there he was, hidin’ an’ watchin’ to beat the 
band; but it didn't strike me as bein' anythin’ that 
need fuss Sam, 'cause it looked to me as if Cushin' 
was kind’er killin' time." 

“The same as you and Sam have done when it 
was your turn to stand guard?" Ned added laugh- 
ingly, and Ernest’s face crimsoned even beneath the 
heavy coat of tan, as he replied : 

“Wa’al, it may be we’ve done somethin' of that 
kind once in a while; but it wasn’t when there was 
any chance John Ed would come around." 

“Then you couldn’t tell what Zenas was watching?" 
Paul asked quickly, not disposed to spend time in 
pleasantries when, as he believed, matters of greatest 
importance were afoot. 

“There wasn’t anythin' 'round there to watch. If 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


283 


he’d been up among the trees I might’er got the 
notion he believed John Ed was still here, though 
that couldn’t be after the way this ’ere island has been 
searched. Howsomever, if Zenas wants to spend his 
time over there where nobody can see him, it ain’t 
what you might call my business.” 

It was only with difficulty Paul resisted the in- 
clination to grasp Ernest by the hand, congratulating 
him on being honest, for it seemed certain that this 
member of the Downs family, if no other, was act- 
ing in accordance with the agreement made. 

Even though he had decided to do that which 
would still further have increased the lad’s perplexity, 
there was no time, for at this moment Zenas ap- 
peared. 

'T thought you were at the cove? Ernest said you 
were !” Paul exclaimed in surprise, and Master Cush- 
ing replied in a low tone: 

‘T came over this way to meet you, ’cause I didn’t 
count on lettin’ that old villain hear us talkin’ ” 

‘"What old villain?” Ernest interrupted, his eyes 
opening wide with astonishment. 

‘T’ll show you ’twixt now an’ midnight, son, an’ 
then I’m allowin’ to find out some other things for 
myself. Why is Sam pokin’ his nose over here?” 

“If I hadn’t wanted to find out that very thing I 
wouldn't been snoopin’ ’round givin’ you a chance to 
send me on your errands.” 

“Why were you in such a hurry to see us?” Paul 
asked impatiently. 

“ ’Cause I believe it’s time to get the Hampton 


284 


THE AEROPLANE 


boat over on this side of the island. Of course there 
ain’t the ghost of a chance that John Ed would make 
any try at givin’ us the slip in the daytime; but it’s 
jest as well to be on the safe side, an’ ” 

‘Will you look there!” Ernest cried excitedly as 
he pointed seaward. ‘Tf we hadn’t been over every 
inch of this island without findin’ him, I’d say that 
was John Ed! Where on earth did he come from?” 

A cry of anger burst from the lips of Zenas as he 
ran to the higher ground where Ernest had halted, 
and from there gazed into the cove. 

Coming evidently from out the cavern wdiich Mas- 
ter Cushing had watched so jealously, was a weather- 
beaten dory rowed by a single man, and that man 
John Ed Bingham. 

‘Tf I had only told father!” Paul exclaimed half 
to himself, and Ned said soothingly: 

‘Tf you had gone to him the very moment it was in 
your mind to do so, there wouldn’t have been time 
to prevent that old villain from giving us the slip.” 

“An’ he went out in broad daylight, while I was 
fool enough to believe he never’d dare do such a 
trick,” Master Cushing moaned. 

“Bingham always does, so it seems, that which we 
least expect,” Ned cried bitterly, and Zenas, so ex- 
cited and disappointed as to fail of realizing that he 
was doing a foolish thing, shouted at the full strength 
of his lungs: 

“Come back here, you scoundrel! Come back, I 
say !” 

“Yes, I’ll be back, don’t have any fears; but it 



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AT SILVER FOX FARM 285 

won’t be jest this minute,” was the mocking reply. 
“Did you think, Zenas Cushing, that I didn’t know 
what you was countin’ on doin’? I reckon you al- 
lowed to nab me. I wasn’t born yesterday, as you’ll 
find before you’re many days older.” 

“Don’t stop to swap words with him!” Paul cried 
excitedly as he exerted all his strength to pull Zenas 
away. “.We can overtake him in the Hampton if we 
get her under way at once!” 

“I’m blest if I didn’t forget all about the boat!” 
Zenas cried in a joyful tone, and now there was no 
further need for Paul to urge him toward the harbor, 
for he was running at full speed in that direction, the 
three boys following as closely at his heels as was 
possible. 

“Where’d John Ed come from? Where’d he come 
from?” Ernest repeated again and again; but no one 
gave heed to his questions. 

The one thought in the minds of all was that it 
would be possible to overtake the villain if the 
Hampton boat was got unde;^, way without loss of 
time, and every nerve was strained to effect such 
purpose. 

When Zenas arrived on the high ground in the rear 
of the ruins of the farm-house, Mr. Simpson appeared, 
coming from the direction of the harbor, and, startled 
by seeing four of his employes racing at full speed 
across the island as if great danger menaced, he would 
have stopped Zenas to demand an explanation; but 
Master Cushing evaded his grasp as he shouted 
hoarsely : 


i286 


THE AEROPLANE 


‘^John Ed has jest left the island in a dory, an' 
we’re after the Hampton to stop him !” 

This was sufficient inducement for Mr. Simpson to 
join the runners, and by the time they gained the head 
of the harbor Daniel Downs and Sam came at their 
best speed from the ‘diotel.” 

So great was Master Cushing’s excitement that he 
launched the old dory unaided, even though she had 
been hauled out above high-water mark, and then 
would have pushed off without waiting to take on 
board Ernest and Mr. Simpson, who were several 
paces in the rear, if the latter had not peremptorily 
commanded him to wait. 

“I’m allowin’ we can’t afford to fool ’round many 
minutes, for there’s no tellin’ how soon that ’ere fog 
bank down to the east’ard may work up this way,” 
Zenas cried angrily as he waited with ill-concealed 
impatience at the bow of the boat, standing knee-deep 
in the water. “That miserable Bingham must have 
counted on it’s shettin’ down thick, else he’d never’d 
dared to make a break in the daytime !” 

Mr. Simpson literally fell over the rail into the 
dory, and Zenas would not wait for Ernest, who was 
a couple of yards behind; but pushed the boat into 
deep water and then bent to the oars as the boys had 
never seen him work before. 

“What is the meaning of all this?” Mr. Simpson 
asked sharply and breathlessly. “What do you mean 
by saying that Bingham has just left the island, when 
we know he wasn’t here?” 

“I haven’t got time to talk now,” Zenas panted. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 287 

‘‘After we have got well under way there may be a 
chance.’^ 

“Bingham was here when you searched the island/’ 
Paul explained to his father. “There is a hiding- 
place on the east shore in which he had a dory con- 
cealed, and Zenas has been within an inch of cap- 
turing him single-handed.” 

“ril have him yet, or drive that ’ere Hampton boat 
to the bottom 1 ” Master Cushing cried savagely as 
he ran the dory alongside the larger craft, and jumped 
aboard without giving any heed to his companions. 

Fortunately Paul leaped on the Hampton boat with 
the dory’s painter in his hand, otherwise Ned and Mr. 
Simpson would have been left astern, for Zenas had 
started the motor on the instant, immediately after- 
ward taking to the helm to prevent her from running 
ashore. 

The power boat was out 6f the harbor before the 
dory had been made fast, or her crew fairly under- 
stood that the chase had begun, and Zenas was crying 
angrily to Paul: 

“Jump it to her, lad. You ought’er get better speed 
than this. She ain’t much more’n movin’ !” 

“She’s running as well as when we put off for the 
Neva, and then the little boat was doing her best,” 
Paul replied as he bent over the motor to make certain 
everything was as it should be, and Zenas, still dis- 
satisfied with the speed, so great was his anxiety lest 
Bingham escape, ordered Ned to change seats from 
the port to the starboard locker in order the better to 
trim ship. 


288 


THE AEROPLANE 


The Hampton boat was run southward, for the 
purpose of rounding the lower point, because Bing- 
ham had been bearing in that direction when last seen, 
but before she was so far clear of the land that an un- 
obstructed view could be had seaward, a cry of mingled 
anger and dismay burst from Zenas, as he shouted : 

“There it comes! You can count on his havin’ 
every advantage when he’s up to any of his games! 
Talk about honest men gettin’ their due!” 

There was little need for him to explain the mean- 
ing of his words, for by this time all could see a 
thin veil of vapor creeping over the sea from out of 
the east, and there was no longer any question as to 
the possibility of Bingham’s making good his escape. 

“We may as well turn back,” Mr. Simpson said in 
a tone of regret as the gray mist appeared to have 
grown thicker when the Hampton boat rounded the 
southerly point. “In ten minutes more it won’t be 
possible to see objects twenty yards away.” 

“We’ll take our chances of that!” Zenas cried 
hoarsely. “I’d make one try at overhaulin’ that vil- 
lain even if the fog was so thick we’d have to hew 
it with axes to get through. Shove that motor all 
you know how, Paul! There’s Bingham not two 
miles away, an’ if you can get a bit more speed out’er 
the craft we’ve got a chance of overtakin’ him yet.” 

As he spoke Zenas pointed toward the southeast, 
where it was possible to see the faintest dot of dark- 
ness, which might as well have been a drifting log 
as a dory, and but for the fact that it was known 
Bingham must be somewhere in that vicinity, it is an 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 289 

open question if even Master Cushing would have 
fancied he could distinguish the form of a man. 

‘'She’s doing the best possible,” Paul replied 
sharply as he bent again over the motor to make cer- 
tain there was no danger of a heated bearing. “The 
little craft wasn’t built for speed, but with a view to 
sea-going qualities, and you mustn’t expect she can be 
transformed into a racer simply because you’re so 
eager to lay hands on John Ed Bingham.” 

“I’m expectin’ a good deal more’n I’ll ever get,” 
Zenas muttered as he stood like a statue, gripping the 
spokes of the wheel and staring steadily into the fog 
with the hope that he might keep the faint outlines 
of the smuggler within range of vision. 

“Tell me what you know about Bingham’s hiding- 
place on the island,” Mr. Simpson said to Paul when 
Master Cushing had turned all his attention to the 
chase, and Ned sat well in the bow: with the idea that he 
might be able to aid the helmsman. 

Paul, in a low tone, as if believing a noise might 
disturb Zenas, told all the story, including the argu- 
ment which was had between himself and Ned on 
the subject of making the secret known despite the 
fact that they were, so to speak, on their honor to 
keep the matter strictly private, and concluded with 
the words: 

“As things turned, we wouldn’t have had time to 
find you before John Ed started, therefore no harm 
has been done by our keeping faith with Zenas.” 

“I fear no real good would have come of it, even 
though you had warned me a long time in advance of 


290 


THE AEROPLANE 


his escape/’ Mr. Simpson replied with a sigh. “Be- 
cause Zenas was quick-witted enough to smoke the old 
fellow out when Sawtelle and I were satisfied there was 
no possibility of his being on the island, it is more 
than probable I should have allowed him to take 
charge of the matter, and the result must have been 
the same. It would have saved us considerable labor 
and worry if we could have bottled the villain up 
once more.” 

“What part do you think has been taken by Sam 
Downs and his father?” Paul asked, and a full min- 
ute passed before he received any reply. Then it was 
that Mr. Simpson said slowly, as if to give due weight 
to each word: 

“It would seem, from what you tell me, as if there 
can be no doubt but that Sam has been in collusion 
with Bingham, regardless of his repentance and prom- 
ises of last summer. I can well fancy the boy might 
have been frightened or bribed to play the part he 
evidently has; but the important question is whether 
Daniel had any part in the treachery? The fact that 
Ernest remained in ignorance would seem to prove 
that he and his mother were not trusted with the se- 
cret, and it must be our business to learn just how far 
the old man may have gone in the matter.” 

By this time the fog had grown so dense that one 
could not see the water twenty feet ahead of the boat, 
and Mr. Simpson said to Zenas : 

“You may as well put about, for there isn’t the 
slightest chance now that you can come up with Bing- 
ham. He might be within hail this very moment, and 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


291 


yet succeed, without very much difficulty, in remain- 
ing hidden from view. This motor isn’t noisy, yet 
it can be heard fully a quarter-mile away, and we 
know that John Ed is listening intently all the while.’’ 

‘^He saw this fog creepin’ down, an’ took his 
chances, else the smugglin’ old scoundrel wouldn’t 
have been so brave!” Master Cushing cried angrily 
as he shook his fist in impotent rage at that quarter 
of the limited horizon where he fancied Bingham 
might be. ''To think that I had him right under my 
thumb, an’ let him give me the slip! If I’d been in 
cahoots with him, I couldn’t have wiggled ’round 
more to his pleasure. The time is cornin’ though, 
John Ed, when Eli lay you by the heels single-handed, 
an’ don’t you forget it !” 

Then, with one last, lingering look into the fleecy 
vapor of gray, Zenas swung the Hampton boat around 
in a wide circle, as if he had no doubt as to which 
course should be steered. 

"Flow long have we been running?” Mr. Simpson 
asked abruptly, and Ned was the only member of the 
crew who could make any attempt at answering the 
question. 

"We left the harbor thirty-five minutes ago,” he 
replied after looking at his watch, and Mr. Simpson 
added : 

"In that case we must be at least seven miles from 
the island. It will take fine steering, Zenas, to put 
us back into the cove while this smother lasts.” 

"Don’t get to thinkin’ that I’m goin’ to lose you, 
sir,” Master Cushing replied confidently. "I may not 


292 


THE AEROPLANE 


be able to get the best of John Ed, but you’ll see that 
I can keep the bearin’s in my head, no matter how 
thick the fog, when we’ve been runnin’ but little 
more’n half an hour.” 

Paul understood that his father did not feel as con- 
fident on this point as did the helmsman. It requires 
unusual skill to hold a vessel on the true course in a 
dense fog when there is no compass aboard, and for 
a time Mr. Simpson was most uncomfortable in mind, 
believing they might be forced to remain at sea until 
the weather changed. 

Master Cushing did not attempt to enter into con- 
versation when the others discussed the probable fu- 
ture of the man who was bent on making trouble 
for the owners of the Silver Fox Farm; but remained 
wrapped in angry silence during what seemed like a 
very long while, when he suddenly cried: 

“Stop the motor! Now listen!” 

It was possible to hear the dull booming of 
the surf, after one had listened intently, and Zenas 
said grimly: 

“There’s your island, all right, an’ I’d hid my head 
in greater shame than I’m goin’ to hide it when we 
get ashore, if I couldn’t have brought this ’ere boat 
back, no matter how much of a smother had come to 
the aid of John Ed.” 

“You have done a sailorly piece of work,” Mr. 
Simpson replied approvingly; but Zenas gave no heed 
to the praise. 

“We’re well off the southerly point, an’ it may not 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


293 


be so easy to strike the harbor at the first pop; but 
I reckon it can be done without puttin’ the craft 
ashore.” 

It is quite possible that Zenas Cushing’s sore heart 
was soothed a bit when he ran the Hampton boat into 
the cove at the first attempt, and rounded to at the 
buoy as readily as if the sun had dispersed the fog; 
but yet this did not drive the expression of gloom 
from his face. 

When he got ashore he walked rapidly toward 
the ^'hotel,” and there, an hour later, Paul and 
Ned searched for him in vain. 

On being questioned, Daniel Downs admitted hav- 
ing seen Master Cushing enter the building; but he 
could not, or would not, make any guess as to where 
he had hidden himself, and Sam, seeing the boys 
searching in every available place, said in a meaning 
tone, which to Paul and Ned had a decidedly dis- 
agreeable sound: 

'T reckon you’ll find him down at that ’ere little 
cove on the east side; that’s where he’s been stayin’ 
lately.” 

^‘What do you know about that cove?” Paul asked 
quickly and sharply, causing Master Downs to step 
back as if afraid of receiving a blow, when he replied 
hesitatingly : 

^^Me ? Oh, I don’t know anythin’ ’bout it. There’s 
plenty of fool places on this island if I was huntin’ 
for ’em, without goin’ way over there.” 

^T have noticed that you do go around that way 


294 


THE AEROPLANE 


quite often,” Ned said, looking the lad squarely in 
the face. ‘^What’s more, you carry considerable of 
a load in your basket.” 

Sam’s face flushed, and then paled. He opened his 
mouth as if to speak, and, seemingly finding it im- 
possible to make any sound, moved slowly backward 
until he came in contact with the wall of the building. 

“What’s the matter?” Paul asked grimly. “Did 
you suppose you were the only one on this island who 
had a fancy for knowing what others were doing?” 

“I — I — I don’t know what you mean,” Sam stam- 
mered, looking this way and that as if meditating 
flight. 

“Yes you do,” and Paul spoke firmly, like one who 
can prove all his statements. “You were looking for 
someone who was hiding there, and had food in your 
basket to give him. Pm thinking my father and Mr. 
Sawtelle will want that matter fully explained before 
many days, and you had better be ready with some 
reasonable excuse, otherwise they may come to believe 
that you’ve been breaking the solemn promise made 
last summer.” 

Sam looked timidly at the lad for an instant, and 
then, muttering something which the boys failed to 
understand, moved unsteadily along with his back to 
the side of the building until coming to the corner, 
when he fled at his best pace toward the ruins of the 
farm-house. 

Master Cushing’s hiding-place, wherever it may 
have been, was well concealed, for search as they might 
the boys could find no trace of him, nor did he make 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


295 


his appearance until the following morning when Mrs. 
Downs summoned all hands to breakfast by blowing 
the horn vigorously. 

The fog storm had continued until after sunrise, 
and, so far as Paul and Ned knew, no watch had been 
kept along the shore of the island. It was probable, 
so they argued, that Mr. Simpson felt reasonably 
certain John Ed would not venture back so soon 
after having made his escape, and equally positive 
none others would come in such a smother simply for 
the purpose of working mischief. 

‘‘Where have you been?’’ Paul asked when Zenas 
came into the dining-room with an effort to appear 
unconcerned. 

“Rangin’ ’round one place an’ another. There 
didn’t seem to be much of anythin’ on hand, so I 
kind’er made a loafin’ spell of it.” 

“Are you feeling less like kicking yourself than 
when I saw you last?” 

“I reckon it would be a good thing for me if some- 
body else did the job, ’cause I’ve been havin’ a bad 
touch of swelled head, an’ a dose of that kind is about 
the sort of medicine I’m needin’,” Zenas replied 
grimly, after which he seated himself at the table and 
ate as hearty a meal as if he had never been disap- 
pointed in any of his undertakings. 

During the forenoon Master Cushing absolutely re- 
fused to discuss the old smuggler’s escape. He was 
ready to talk of what might be done when Mr. Saw- 
telle returned; of the improbability that a “crow- 
chaser” could be built by mortal hands that would 


296 


THE AEROPLANE 


carry one or more persons through the air, and, in 
fact, had a decided opinion on any subject save that 
of Mr. Bingham’s hurried departure from the island. 

Two hours before sunset the Neva hove in sight, 
and from that time until well into the night, the 
dwellers on Barren Island had ample food for thought 
to the exclusion of John Ed and all that pertained to 
him. 

Mr. Sawtelle had brought a generous supply of 
material for the building of another aeroplane, and 
was eager it be put on shore at once to the end that 
work might be begun at an early hour next morning. 
Therefore it was that everyone did his best to carry 
out the orders of the Neva's owner, and none labored 
more energetically than Sam Downs. 

Late that night, after a very satisfactory supper 
on board the Neva, Mr. Sawtelle heard the story of 
what had occurred during his absence, and instead 
of being angered, as the boys had confidently ex- 
pected, he appeared to be devoured with curiosity con- 
cerning the novel hiding-place. 

“How large is it ?” he asked eagerly, and when Paul 
confessed that no one had examined the cavern, he 
said decisively, “I reckon we can postpone work long 
enough to have a look at it, and that’s what we’ll do 
the first thing in the morning.” 

Then the word was given for all hands to “turn in,” 
and Paul said when he and Ned were alone in their 
cabin : 

“That which strikes me as being mighty odd is, 
that neither father nor Mr. Sawtelle appear to think 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 297 

Sam’s maneuvering has been such as to call for ex- 
planations.” 

‘T’m allowing it will come later,” was the sleepy 
reply. ‘‘You can set it down as a fact that neither 
of them count to let such a matter pass without look- 
ing into it mighty close.” 

Then Ned’s loud breathing told that he had fallen 
asleep even while speaking, and Paul could do no less 
than follow his example. 

Day had just begun to dawn when the boys were 
aroused by the owner of the Neva, who shouted cheer- 
ily as he threw open the door of their cabin : 

“Turn out, lads, and we’ll have a look at that 
famous cavern which Bingham and Zenas have dis- 
covered. The tide is at rather more than half-ebb, 
and we should have no difficulty in exploring it thor- 
oughly before time for breakfast.” 

Zenas was already in the tender alongside the yacht 
when the boys came on deck, and began to ply the oars 
as soon as Mr. Sawtelle and his companions were 
aboard. 

“Didn’t father care to come?” Paul asked, and the 
owner of the Neva replied laughingly: 

“He said the cavern would probably remain where 
it was as long as he lived on the island, and he could 
look at it some other time, instead of getting up be- 
fore daylight had come, or breakfast was ready.” 

Once having landed. Master Cushing led the way 
straight across to the eastern side, and there indi- 
cated to Mr. Sawtelle the point of rocks in which the 
cavern had been excavated by the action of the waves. 


298 


THE AEROPLANE 


Surely, when viewed from the land, it did not seem 
possible there could be in the ledge such an opening 
as would screen from view a dory, and yet, when the 
little party had crept down the rocks to the very edge 
of the water where it was possible to have a view of 
the interior, the cavern was found sufficiently large 
to have hidden two boats of considerable size, being 
so high that the craft would ride at high water with- 
out coming in contact with the upper portion of the 
reef that formed the roof. 

As a matter of course, as all could see, when the 
surf was heavy it would surge into the excavation 
until anything in the form of a boat that was within 
must be beaten into fragments; but in fair weather, 
with a comparatively calm sea, it was the most com- 
plete hiding-place that can be fancied. 

After having gazed at the interior of the cavern 
until it seemed as if he was trying to fix in his memory 
every inequality of the rock, Mr. Sawtelle examined 
the aperture, or breathing-place, on top, and at this 
point the searchers could see how easily Sam might 
have passed the contents of his basket to the man in- 
side. 

Several large bowlders had been rolled over a por- 
tion of the upper reef which had evidently been torn 
out by the surf, and this done in such a manner as 
to make it appear that it was the result of chance, or 
the elements. By pulling one of these aside, the open- 
ing, through which a man might have climbed with- 
out difficulty, was disclosed. 

“When you told the story last night I felt a certain 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 299 

sense of shame because of having believed that our 
search of the island was thorough,” Mr. Sawtelle said 
thoughtfully as the little party retraced their steps to 
the harbor. ‘'Unless Zenas had come upon the place, 
we might have lived and worked here a year or more 
without suspecting such a cavern was in the reef, and 
Bingham could have made of his coming and going a 
mystery that might well have caused us greatest 
alarm.” 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE ‘'silver fox” 

When those who were entitled to take their meals 
aboard the Nera sat down to breakfast on the morn- 
ing after having made a survey of John Ed’s very 
snug hiding-place, with a single exception, all were 
in the highest spirits, believing that now it would be 
well-nigh impossible for the old smuggler to work 
any harm if a reasonably sharp watch was kept, even 
though Sam and his father might be inclined to 
treachery. 

That single exception was Zenas Cushing, and he 
was as mournful as the others were merry, because 
of having failed in capturing the intruder when, if he 
had not been so eager to accomplish the task without 
the aid of the island’s owners, Bingham might at that 
very moment have been a prisoner on his way for 
trial at Seaview. 

Zenas was not only chagrined because John Ed had 
escaped from him so readily, but blamed himself even 
more than the circumstances warranted, for having' 
delayed in making known to Mr. Sawtelle and Mr. 
Simpson, at the earliest moment, that which had been 
discovered. 

The owner of the Nera had a very good idea of 
what might be in Master Cushing’s mind as he ate 
breakfast in moody silence, while all others at table 
were talkative and cheery, and when the first lull in 
the conversation came, he said laughingly: 

300 


THE AEROPLANE 


301 


‘^Don’t take John Ed and his doings so much to 
heart, Zenas. Perhaps all which has happened could 
not have been avoided, however you tried to work the 
trick. Certain it is that but for the fog you would 
have laid hands on the old scoundrel, and when even 
the weather favors him in his mischief, you have no 
need to blame yourself overly much. We’ll lay our 
gentleman by the heels some day, if he tries to work 
us any more harm, and when it has been done he shall 
pay for his misdeeds.” 

^Hhat’s what we thought, sir, when his schooner 
stuck on Beckman’s Ledge; but the Governor of the 
State seemed to believe he hadn’t done evil enough 
in this world,” Zenas replied gloomily, and Mr. Saw- 
telle added cheerily: 

‘Tut it out of your mind, man, put it out of your 
mind. What can’t be cured must be endured, and a 
smile works better than a frown, no matter what kind 
of a job you’ve got on hand. This morning we are 
to begin the building of our second crow-chaser, as 
Daniel Downs calls an aeroplane, and we’ll not only 
finish her despite all John Ed Bingham may do, but 
make a voyage to Seaview to frighten Captain Tobi 
out of several pounds of superfluous flesh.” 

“But say, how he would open his eyes if you could 
flutter down inter SeaviewM” Zenas cried, laughing 
heartily at the mental picture he had called up. 

“We can, Zenas, and we will,” Mr. Sawtelle re- 
plied decisively. “There shall be no accident this 
time, even though all hands of us are forced to sleep 
and take our meals in the work- tent. We’ll not only 


THE AEROPLANE 


•302 

have an eye out on what we are doing, but keep 
sharp watch over Daniel Downs and his precious son 
Sam. Mr. Simpson must hold those two in order, 
and I'm hoping he will work them so hard that they’ll 
have no opportunity to lend Bingham a hand, in case 
he pokes his nose around here again.’’ 

‘T’m inclined to believe Sam is more to be blamed 
than the old man,” Zenas replied sharply. ‘T’m al- 
lowin’ John Ed got afoul of him, frightenin’ the boy 
inter obeyin’ his orders, and after that much mischief 
had been done, Daniel could do no less than fall in 
line.” 

^‘We won’t allow him another chance,” the owner 
of the Nera cried as he rose from the table. ^'Now 
we’ll begin on the Silver FoxT 

^'What have foxes to do with our making an aero- 
plane, sir?” Paul asked in astonishment. 

‘‘Nothing, lad, at this late day. But if your father 
had not gone into the business of raising them, neither 
the Neva nor her crew would have been here this day, 
therefore the first of Daniel’s crow-chasers that is 
built, shall be named the Silver FoxF 

“And a right good name it will be,” Master Cushing 
cried enthusiastically, the frown fading from his face. 
“I’ll undertake to stay in the work-tent every hour of 
the day and night while she is buildin’, an’ we’ll hope 
John Ed tries to be funny while I’m there.” 

Then the entire party went on shore, and during 
the short journey to the “hotel” it was decided that 
Mr. Simpson should have no hand in the labor, save 
to make certain the island was properly guarded. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


303 


‘‘You are to forbid Sam and his father from even 
looking into the tent/’ Mr. Sawtelle said when his 
partner, having come with the party as far as the 
“hotel,” was on the point of returning to the harbor. 
“I’m not fearing they could do any mischief, but we 
don’t want them around.” 

“To forbid their coming on this side of the build- 
ing will be much the same as telling them that you 
have suspicions as to what has just been done,” 
Paul suggested, and Mr. Sawtelle replied emphatic- 
ally : 

“That is exactly the point I want them to under- 
stand ; but because we have no proof of their treachery, 
save that of seeing Sam loitering around the hiding- 
place, and their inquisitiveness as to what Zenas was 
doing, we are not warranted in flatly accusing both 
of aiding Bingham.” 

Then Mr. Simpson went his way, and without fur- 
ther delay the work of building the Silver Fox was 
begun, the laborers growing so interested in the task 
as hardly to be conscious of the flight of time. They 
were really surprised when Ernest, standing just out- 
side the entrance to the tent, shouted : 

“The cook of the yacht says you folks are to come 
to dinner, unless you count on lettin’ everythin’ spile 
by growin’ cold.” 

“Your father has warned Ernest as well as Sam, 
against coming inside the tent,” Ned said laughingly 
to Paul, as he made ready to obey the summons, and 
then, noting the fact that Zenas continued at his work 
without any token of ceasing for the noonday meal, 


304 


THE AEROPLANE 


he asked, “Ain’t you intending to eat anything to- 
day ?” 

“I agreed to stay here all the time, and that’s what 
I count on doin’.” 

“Don’t be foolish, Cushing,” Mr. Sawtelle cried 
cheerily. “No one can work mischief here at this 
stage of the game.” 

“I allow they can’t; but all the same I’ll stay right 
where I am till you get back, an’ then take my turn 
at the cook’s layout.” 

It was useless to argue with Master Cushing, as 
was shortly learned, and the two boys hurried away 
with the owner of the Neva; but Paul was so dis- 
tressed at the thought of Zenas remaining alone on 
watch, that he made haste to satisfy his hunger be- 
fore the others were ready to leave the table, and 
hastened back to the work-tent. 

“I finished before the others did, so thought it 
would be as well to give you a chance, for the cook 
is chafing under the collar mightily because your din- 
ner will be spoiled,” the lad said as he opened the flap 
of the tent, finding Zenas busily engaged smoothing 
down one of the uprights. 

“If the dinner was of Mother Downs’s cookin’. 
I’d say that the colder it grew the better a man could 
eat it; but when it comes to sich grub as is served up 
aboard the Neva, a man is a fool to take chances of 
lettin’ it go to waste. If you’re to stay here, make 
certain none of Daniel’s family comes inside. They’ve 
been warned away, an’ I’m goin’ to see that the order 
is obeyed.” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


305 


Paul promised to remain where he could have a 
full view of the interior of the tent; but did not pro- 
pose to begin work again until Mr. Sawtelle should 
be on the spot to supervise what was being done, and 
Zenas left him sitting just outside the entrance to 
the work-room, where he might overlook the harbor. 

A resting-spell was what the lad needed, for he 
felt exceedingly weary, and was enjoying this par- 
tial repose to the utmost when Sam Downs came into 
view from the rear of the ^‘hotel.’’ 

‘^Where are the rest of the crowd?” he asked, ad- 
vancing until he stood by Paul’s side. 

‘"On board the yacht,” was the curt reply. 

“Why ain’t you with ’em?” 

“Because I’m staying here.” 

“On watch, eh?” 

“Well, perhaps that is what it might be called.” 

“Didn’t I see Zenas Cushing goin’ down to the 
harbor a minute ago?” 

“He has just left here,” Paul replied as if indis- 
posed to engage in conversation with the lad. 

“So? He waited till you got back, so’s some of 
your gang could have an eye out on the tent, eh?” 

“That’s about the size of it.” 

“See here, Paul Simpson, I want’er know what all 
this means? Why is it father an’ us boys are barred 
out’er that ’ere tent? Seems to me mighty funny 
if we can’t go wherever we please on this island.” 

“That is what you were allowed to do a short time 
ago, and the aeroplane was destroyed at the very time 
when you claimed to be on watch. If we count on 


THE AEROPLANE 


306 

building another, the safest plan seems to be to ’teep 
you people at a distance.’’ 

*^Do you mean to say ” 

Master Downs was working himself into a fit of 
anger, when Paul interrupted him by saying sharply: 

“Take my advice, Sam, and don’t provoke the 
members of what you call the ‘gang’ into telling you 
the exact truth. Remember that we saw you with a 
basket on your arm, loitering around where John Ed 
Bingham was hiding, and afterward your talk was 
enough to arouse suspicions of your knowing more 
about that precious scoundrel than was honest. The 
safest plan for you is to keep a close tongue in your 
head, and obey orders to the letter from this out.” 

“Don’t go to makin’ the mistake of thinkin’ you 
can bully-rag me!” Sam screamed angrily, and then 
on the instant he ceased speaking and beat a hasty 
retreat, having seen the owner of the Neva and Ned 
coming that way. 

“Have you had company?” Mr. Sawtelle asked as 
he came within speaking distance. “I thought I saw 
Sam running around the corner of the building.” 

“He has been here, evidently for the purpose of 
having an explanation as to why father prohibited his 
going into the tent,” Paul replied laughingly, and 
then repeated the conversation as nearl}" as possible. 

“It is evident he won’t understand any save harsh 
words,” Mr. Sawtelle said when Paul was come to 
an end of the story. “We have either wronged the 
boy by suspecting that he would have aided Bingham, 
or he has in him the makings of anything rather than 


AT SILVER FOX FAR 


307 


an honest man. I’ll look after him from this time on.” 

While the three remained at the door of the tent 
discussing the possibility that Sam was deeper in the 
counsels of Bingham than had been supposed, Zenas 
came leisurely from the harbor, and the work on the 
Silver Fox was resumed. 

During an hour or more no word was spoken by 
those who were so deeply engaged in fashioning a 
‘^crow-chaser” intended to make Barren Island a place 
of note, if not famous, and then Paul broke the silence 
by exclaiming, as if the idea had but that moment 
entered his mind : 

‘Tf we could only rig a wireless apparatus on this 
craft !” 

“Well, and why can’t it be done?” Mr. Sawtelle 
cried loudly and excitedly, thus showing that such a 
scheme had not been entertained by him previous to 
this moment. “We shall have a 2 5 -horse-power 
motor aboard, which should be sufficient for receiving 
messages within a limited distance, in addition to 
propelling the craft, and I see no reason why it might 
not be arranged.” 

“Couldn’t contrive to take on a movin’-picture ma- 
chine as well, eh ?” Zenas asked in a fine tone of irony. 
“We ought’er have all the luxuries of the season, an’ 
while the crow-chaser is hoverin’ over Seaview we 
might get mementoes of Capt’in Tobi, Billy Mans- 
field, an’ the rest of the big jimmies.” 

“It isn’t wise, Mr. Zenas Cushing, to make sport of 
what you don’t understand,” the owner of the Nera 
said laughingly, as he dropped the slender brace on 


3o8 


THE AEROPLANE 


which he was working to draw rough plans on a clean 
board. ‘‘Paul’s proposition to install a wireless on 
an aeroplane isn’t what can be called wild. It has 
already been done successfully with the lighter-than- 
air type of air-ships, and why can’t the Silver Fox 
carry an apparatus?” 

“I reckon she can, that is, pervidin’ it’s possible 
for her to carry anythin’,” Master Cushing replied 
with a grin, and then he bent over his work as if 
feeling condemned because of having wasted several 
precious moments, while Paul and Ned, fascinated 
by this new proposition, watched Mr. Sawtelle as he 
hastily sketched one plan after another, being wholly 
satisfied with none. 

“We’ll leave this last scheme for the evening, lads,” 
he said finally, as he laid the sketching-board care- 
fully aside. “The main object is to get the Silver Fox 
ready for the air, and until that has been done there’s 
no good reason why we should spend our working 
hours on anything else. You lads know more about 
the wireless than I, as was proved last summer when, 
with illy-constructed apparatus, you sent and received 
as well as we on board the Nera could, therefore I 
propose that you set about making plans when it is 
impossible to continue the labor here.” 

Having said this the owner of the Nera gave his 
undivided attention to the task before him, and a 
full hour passed in silence, Paul and Ned striving as 
they fashioned the carefully selected wood, to con- 
ceive some method of installing the wireless on this 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


309 


vessel of the air which her designer was so positive 
would be a complete success. 

It was nearly nightfall when Zenas looked up sud- 
denly to say with a grin: 

‘Tf so be you folks could fit out this ’ere Silver Fox 
with what you call the wireless, an’ the contraption 
sailed through the air as you’re countin’ on, John Ed 
would come to grief if he tried to slip off once more 
in a fog storm.” 

'T thought you would soon understand the possi- 
bilities of an air-ship,” Mr. Sawtelle said with a laugh. 
‘'While I’m not certain we could follow anyone in 
such a smother as we had yesterday, I feel positive 
we’ve seen the last of your smuggler. He knows that 
we’ve learned the secret of his hiding-place, and won’t 
be so foolish as to pay us another visit — at least, not 
this season while the Neva is in port.” 

“All of which shows that you haven’t even been 
introduced to John Ed as yet,” Zenas replied gravely. 
“Wireless telegraphy, air-ships, or real men-of-war, 
are all one to that scoundrel when he’s got his mind 
set on mischief. He’ll come to Barren Island more’n 
once ’twixt now an’ fall, if so be we don’t lay him 
by the heels mighty soon.” 

“Once the Silver Fox is in sailing trim we’ll give 
him what racing men call, ‘a run for his money,’ and 
you shall see how soon we’ll bring the old fellow up 
with a short turn,” Mr. Sawtelle said carelessly as 
he continued his work, and Zenas added in a tone of 
irony : 


THE AEROPLANE 


31Q 

‘WeVe had sich good luck at it so far that I don’t 
‘wonder you’re feelin’ certain of workin’ the trick.” 

'T haven’t really tried my hand at it as yet.” 

was kind’er in my mind, sir, that you took 
considerable of a part in searchin’ for John Ed, an’ 
when you give up, feelin’ dead sure he wasn’t any- 
where around, the old villain was livin’ off the fat of 
your land,” Zenas said, looking quizzically at the 
owner of the Nera, whose face flushed as he replied : 

^T might claim that I didn’t know him as well then 
as I do now.” 

''An’ even though you knew him twenty times over, 
he’d come at you in some way that would make you 
need another introduction,” Master Cushing added by 
way of bringing the conversation to a close. 

When the evening had come, and it was time for 
the workmen to go on board the yacht for supper, Paul 
asked Zenas if he really intended to remain in the 
tent during each night, as had been announced, and 
the latter replied emphatically: 

"That’s exactly what I’m countin’ on doin’, lad. 
Here’s where I stay till the Silver Fox has made her 
first voyage, if indeed she ever does. One of you 
will come back, after eatin’ supper, to give me a chance 
of goin’ aboard the Nera, for whether John Ed is 
close at hand, or a thousand miles away. I’m keepin’ 
a sharp eye bn the crow-chaser.” 

"Suppose Ned and I stay with you?” 

"That’s what I’d like, as a matter of course; but 
you won’t be as comfortable here as on board the 
NeraF 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


311 

‘^rm not so certain about that/’ Ned said quickly, 
believing it would be possible to have more sport by 
remaining with Zenas, than if they slept aboard the 
yacht. “We can bring from the house plenty of bed- 
clothes, and I fail to see how there would be any dis- 
comfort in staying here.” 

Mr. Sawtelle took no part in the conversation. It 
seemed as if he had little care how the matter might 
be settled, and the boys decided that it would be right 
jolly to remain with Master Cushing. 

On this night Paul went first to supper, leaving 
Zenas to bring from the “hotel” as much in the way 
of bed-clothing as might be necessary, while Ned stood 
guard over the tent, for Master Cushing was not will- 
ing it should be left unoccupied even for a single 
moment. 

When Paul returned, his comrades went to supper, 
leaving him alone, and he felt quite confident Sam 
Downs would come to thrash out the question of his 
having been disloyal to the interests of Silver Fox 
Farm; but in this he was mistaken. Neither Sam nor 
his father were to be seen; the Downs family re- 
mained entirely to themselves, and nothing had even 
been heard of them when Zenas and Ned returned 
from the yacht. 

“Mr. Sawtelle says you an’ Ned are to spend the 
evenin’ figgerin’ out how a wireless contraption can 
be rigged on the Silver Fox, an’ while you’re doin’ 
that Pm countin’ on takin’ a turn ’round the island,” 
Master Cushing announced as he entered the tent, and 
Paul asked laughingly: 


312 


THE AEROPLANE 


'^Have you got an idea that John Ed may be 
coming back so soon?” 

‘‘No; I don’t reckon he’ll snoop ’round this way 
for quite a spell, an’ that’s jest why I’m goin’ out for 
a tramp. The old scoundrel allers does jest what you 
don’t suspect, so it’s safe to go straight agin your own 
belief in anythin’ that concerns him.” 

When Zenas had set off on his self-imposed task 
the two boys spent no little time making up beds at 
one end of the tent where they would not be exposed 
to too much of a draft, and after that was done to 
their satisfaction, Paul proposed that both draw plans 
for the wireless, working independently of each other. 

They were busily engaged in this labor when Mas- 
ter Cushing returned, threw himself on the ground 
with the air of one who is weary to the verge of ex- 
haustion, and began filling his pipe. 

“Well, did you see anything out of the ordinary?” 
Ned asked as he laid aside his work without having 
accomplished anything to his satisfaction. 

“Wa’al,” Zenas replied drawlingly, “that’s ’cordin’ 
to how you look at it. Old Daniel an’ Sam are down 
on the southerly point, kind’er half hidin’ in the 
bushes as if afraid some of us might see ’em, an’ it 
’pears to me as if they were on watch for somethin’ 
or somebody.” 

“It is probably their time for standing guard,” 
Paul said, looking up carelessly from his work. 

“Wa’al, an’ if it is, why ain’t they patrollin’ the 
shore, instead of takin’ it easy there in the bushes? 
Your father has told ’em a dozen times over that he 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


313 


counted as them who were on duty should keep movin’ 
so’s they could have an eye on all parts of the island, 
an’ also, to prevent any chance of failin’ asleep.” 

don’t suppose Sam and his father can work us 
any harm so long as John Ed remains at a respectful 
distance,” Ned suggested, and Master Cushing re- 
plied grimly: 

^^If I knew the old smuggler wasn’t anywhere near, 
it would be all right, I reckon, an’ even then I’d ad- 
vise that Daniel an’ his son be watched; but it struck 
me they might be bangin’ ’round to signal Bingham 
in case he hove in sight.” 

‘‘I’m not going to trouble myself about what they 
or John Ed may do. Father and Mr. Sawtelle are 
here, and so long as they’re not worrying, I shan’t,” 
and then Paul gave his attention once more to de- 
vising some means by which a wireless apparatus 
could be attached to the aeroplane. 

Half an hour later the owner of the Nera came into 
the tent to see what progress the boys had made, and 
Zenas stole softly out, as Paul and Ned believed, to 
spy upon Sam Downs and his father. 

Now to set down all that was done and said on the 
island during the building of the Silver Fox would 
make dry reading, therefore the story shall be told 
in the fewest possible words. 

Never once did Zenas Cushing relax his vigilance, 
although he saw nothing tangible in the way of 
treachery. His suspicions as to what Sam and his 
father would do if an opportunity offered, were not 
lessened because they apparently did all that was r^- 


314 


THE AEROPLANE 


quired of them, but no more; nor did he cease to fear 
that Bingham might at any moment attempt to gain 
a foothold on the island. 

One or more of the workmen remained in the tent 
during every moment of the twenty-four hours, and 
when the Silver Fox neared completion, even Mr. 
Sawtelle shared the watch. Mr. Simpson, with the 
Downs family, and the two men from the Neva to 
aid him, took full charge of matters outside, remain- 
ing awake throughout the night, and leaving the en- 
gineer of the yacht in command from sunrise to 
sunset. 

Nothing whatsoever was seen or heard to betoken 
that such vigilance was necessary, yet it was never 
relaxed a single moment, and the workmen in the 
tent were not disturbed even by Sam. Ernest took 
good care, as did his father, to remain in that portion 
of the ^^hotel’^ assigned to the family while off duty, 
and when the day came that the Silver Fox was com- 
pleted and hanging in the slings which had been pre- 
pared for her, it was as if every person outside of 
Barren Island had forgotten that such a place existed. 

It was only natural there should be great excite- 
ment among all concerned on the evening Mr. Saw- 
telle announced that if the wind was not too strong 
next morning, it was his intention to make the trial 
trip, and the two boys were not a little disappointed 
when he added: 

“It is my intention to go alone on the first flight, 
and until I am in a certain degree accustomed to 
managing the craft, Aft^r that has been accom- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


315 

plished wedl ship the wireless apparatus, and set sail 
for Seaview, one of you lads remaining here to work 
the telegraph while the other accompanies me/’ 

Then, and while the elders of the company were 
discussing this matter or that concerning the pro- 
posed voyage, the question arose between Paul and 
Ned as to which should have the honor of going with 
the aviator. 

Singularly enough, it was Zenas who settled the 
question, and he did it in this manner: 

“S’posen the crow-chaser, instead of sailin’ jest in- 
side the clouds ’cordin’ to plans, takes a dive inter 
the sea? Now, if Ned is aboard the Silver Fox, Paul 
can manage the Hampton boat an’ help pick up the 
bodies so’s w^e can have a funeral. But if Paul goes, 
Ned can’t make sich a good fist at workin’ the motor, 
so it seems to me you lads have no need to talk very 
much about it. Ned ought’er have the chance to get 
drowned first, an’ when that’s over an’ done with, Paul 
can take a whack at the same kind of an endin’.” 

‘T’m not agreeing that it is to come out as you 
figure, Zenas; but I’m willing to take turns with Ned. 
He shall go first, and then I’ll try it, the two of 
us changing places on each voyage.” 

^Tt ain’t dead certain the first won’t be the last; 
but that’s the best way to settle the matter. Have 
you agreed where that ’ere wireless contraption is to 
be hitched on?” 

‘‘We’re to hang it from the bottom of the frame, 
and the operator is to sit directly behind the avia- 


■316 


THE AEROPLT^NE 


“The what?’' Zenas interrupted. 

“The aviator — meaning the man who navigates the 
aeroplane.” 

“I’m glad you’ve got somethin’ new in the way of 
a name for him ; but I’m allowin’ we can call him mud 
by to-morrow night.” 

There was no reason for the boys to spend any 
time striving to convince Zenas why the Silver Fox 
should not work exactly as her builder intended, and 
the conversation ceased as Mr. Sawtelle gave Master 
Cushing orders for the morrow. 

“I am not expecting there will be any trouble,” the 
owner of the Nera said, and Zenas indulged in a grin ; 
“yet at the same time I propose to take every pre- 
caution as if this was the first attempt ever made to 
navigate the air. You will get the yacht under way, 
following as nearly as possible my flight, so that you 
may be able to render assistance if it is needed.” 

“Ain’t you goin’ to give her a little spin across the 
island first?” Zenas asked, now beginning to look 
worried. 

“If the wind blows from the south or west, as is 
probable, I count to rise directly from the bluff, head- 
ing toward the mainland; but with the intention of 
finally circling around the island. The engineer will 
be in readiness to get under way when you give* the 
word, and you’ll try to keep pace with me.” 

“Keep pace?” Master Cushing repeated laughingly. 
“To do that we’ll have to hold her down to half-speed, 
if not less. The Nera can do twelve miles an hour!” 

“And I count on sailing nearly three times as fast. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


317 


Take my word for it, Zenas, you’ll need to push the 
little craft, and even then I shall distance you easily — 
unless I come to grief/^ 

^^An’ that’s exactly what he will do,” Master Cush- 
ing whispered to Ned. ^T’ye allers thought Mr. Saw- 
telle had wheels in his head when it comes to sich 
things as these ’ere crow-chasers ; but never before did 
I believe he was quite so far gone as to take so many 
chances. He’ll be a drowned man before knowin’ 
what’s happened to him,” and from that moment un- 
til after the trial trip. Master Cushing went around 
with an expression of gloom and dissatisfaction on 
his face. 

Paul had an idea that even Mr. Sawtelle himself 
was unusually silent and anxious on the evening be- 
fore the proposed trip, Avhen the four who had built 
the Silver Fox were alone in the work-tent. 

^Tf we have a calm day!” the owner of the Neva 
repeated again and again as he went to the flap of the 
tent to look out for some indications of the morrow’s 
weather, and each time Zenas would whisper to one 
of the lads: 

^The longer it blows half a gale the longer he’ll 
live.” 

There was little sleep for the occupants of the tent 
that night, and it was a positive relief when the dark- 
ness had been dispelled by the gray light of coming 
dawn. 

Mr. Sawtelle was the first out of doors, and he 
shouted joyously: 

'^Not a cloud in the sky, lads, and there isn’t wind 


THE Aeroplane 


318 

enough stirring to lift the N era’s vane! We couldn’t 
have a better day for the trial, and I count to get off as 
soon as the sun rises. Bear a hand to let down the 
tent; but for your life be careful! We can’t afford 
the time to build three aeroplanes this season.” 

There is little need to say that all hands obeyed the 
summons on the instant. Daniel Downs and his sons, 
who until this moment had had no opportunity to see 
the Silver Fox, came out of the ''hotel” at full speed, 
followed closely by Mrs. Downs, and from the shore 
of the harbor could be heard cries which told that 
Mr. Simpson and the crew of the yacht were hasten- 
ing to the scene. 

The tent had been so made that by using what on 
a vessel would be called "downhauls,” the canvas 
might be pulled apart at the top and then lowered, 
or furled, on either side, until the aeroplane, sup- 
ported only by the slings of braided rope, stood out 
alone, looking wonderfully fragile even for air navi- 
gation. 

When this had been done not a breath of air was 
moving. The sun rose out of the sea clear and 
bright, while not the faintest trace of a cloud could 
be seen in the sky. The smoke from the chimney 
of the "hotel” mounted straight into the ether with- 
out wavering, and, pointing to it, Mr. Sawtelle said 
to Paul in a tone of triumph: 

"We’ve got the kind of weather that is needed, and 
I am almost sorry I didn’t decide to go as far as 
Seaview on the trial trip.” 

"I’m fearin’ the furtherest he’ll go will be to the 


AT SILVER FOX FARM ^19 

bottom of the sea, for it don’t stand to reason that 
kite of a crow-chaser can carry him through the 
air,” Zenas whispered to Ned, and then he walked 
slowly toward the harbor, as if not willing to counte- 
nance by his presence such folly as that about to be 
exhibited by the designer of the Silver Fox. 


CHAPTER XVII 


THE TRIAL VOYAGE 

To release the aeroplane from its slings was but 
the work of a few moments where were so many 
willing hands, and when it was resting on the start- 
ing wheels Mr. Sawtelle climbed into the navigator’s 
seat, while Paul took station at the propeller where 
he could ‘'crank up” when the word should be given. 

“This ’ere is what you might call riskin’ a man’s 
neck for the sake of .a whim,” Ned heard Daniel 
Downs mutter, and one could have understood by the 
tone, without looking at the old man’s face, that 
now, when the moment for making the trial had 
come, he was absolutely frightened because of believ- 
ing a human life was about to be sacrificed. 

“All ready, Paul?” Mr. Sawtelle cried, and the 
lad replied: 

“Whenever you say the word, sir.” 

“Start her!” 

By turning the propeller twice the motor was set 
in motion, and as the crackling explosions followed, 
Mr. Simpson and the engineer of the Nera who 
stood at one side of the aeroplane, while Zenas and 
Ned were opposite, held back the light machine as 
the propeller began to revolve swiftly. 

When the motor had attained sufficient speed Mr. 
Sawtelle gave the signal to let go. 

Ned had expected to see the air craft show some 
320 


THE AEROPLANE 


321 


sings of bouyancy when released ; but was by no means 
prepared for what followed. The Silver Fox 
glided forward thirty feet or less with the wheels 
resting on the ground, and then, gently as a bird 
rises from the earth, it began to mount upward at 
an angle of forty-five degrees, soaring directly over 
Swallow-tailed Cove as steadily as the Neva would 
have glided out of the harbor. 

‘‘He’s crazy to steer that course, ’cause when he 
comes down it’ll be inter the breakers where we 
won’t be able to lend a hand !” Zenas cried angrily as 
he set off at full speed toward the cove where the 
yacht was riding with her anchor hove short, ready 
to be got under way, and the engineer followed close 
at his heels, both men believing the trial trip was 
destined to come to a disastrous end before it had 
well begun. 

Paul and Ned were so excited and elated as to 
have forgotten entirely that there might be any 
danger for the aviator, who appeared to be perfectly 
at his ease, and all the while the Silver Fox rose 
higher and higher in the air until she was an hundred 
feet or more above the loftiest trees on the island, 
when her course was changed until the craft swung 
gracefully around to the eastward, and then toward 
the south. 

“Sawtelle counts on flying around the island !” 
Mr. Simpson exclaimed, simply giving words to the 
thought in his mind, rather than with the purpose of 
enlightening those around him, and all the little com- 
pany, including Mrs. Downs, stood gazing in open- 


322 


THE AEROPLANE 


mouthed astonishment at the odd craft which obeyed 
the helm as does a racing boat. 

Mr. Simpson had been the first to break the silence 
born of surprise and admiration, and it was as if the 
sound of his voice aroused the spectators to the fact 
that the Barren Island air-ship was an accomplished 
fact. It was Paul who began to cheer, and instantly 
the others joined him, sending into the clear air 
ringing sounds of triumph, until Mr. Sawtelle raised 
and waved his cap in token of having heard. 

Not until the Silver Fox was rounding the south- 
erly end of the island, still moving through the air 
steadily and swiftly, did Paul give heed to the move- 
ments of the Nera. Then he saw that she had left 
the harbor headed for Swallow-tailed Cove at the 
very moment when the aeroplane gained the opposite 
point, and the lad exclaimed, without really being 
conscious that he was giving expression to that which 
was in his mind : 

^'The Silver Fox can sail three miles to the Nera*s 
one, and I reckon by this time Zenas has come to 
understand that there is little need for him to slow 
down in order to keep the pace!’^ 

Around the island came the aeroplane, and the 
yacht had no more than gained the northerly point 
when the aviator brought his craft inshore, making 
a short sweep around the ‘Totel,’’ after which the 
Silver Fox settled down within fifty feet of the start- 
ing place, coming to the ground so gently that, as 
Ned said enthusiastically, ‘‘not a drop would have 


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THE TRIAL VOYAGE. 










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AT SILVER FOX FARM 


323 

been spilled from a full glass of water if so be Mr. 
Sawtelle had had one with him.” 

Then what a cheer went up as those standing near 
seized the cross-section to hold the craft steady while 
the aviator dismounted! It was as if everyone, with 
the single exception of Daniel Downs, was doing his 
best to expend the full strength of his lungs on noise. 

The old man stood like one in a dream, staring at 
the Silver Fox, until Mr. Sawtelle had alighted, when 
he exclaimed with a long-drawn breath that was like 
a deep sigh: 

“Wa’al, ril be jiggered if I ever expected to see 
sich a sight as that in this ’ere world!” 

‘‘What about it?” the designer of the Silver Fox 
asked triumphantly as his partner clasped him by the 
hand. “What about building an air-ship as well? 
That is what we can readily do, now we have shown 
our ability to fashion an aeroplane that works as 
smoothly as does this one.” 

“It is wonderful, truly wonderful!” Mr. Simpson 
exclaimed, hardly less excited than was old Daniel. 
“I had believed it possible to rise in the air, because 
we know it has been well demonstrated; but I never 
fancied such a craft could be handled so readily. It 
is much like sailing a yacht.” 

“Or steering an automobile,” the owner of the 
Nera added. “Now that I have proven the value of 
my model, I shall not be content until we on Barren 
Island have accomplished very much more in the 
way of navigating the air, and, as I predicted last 


324 


THE AEROPLANE 


summer, we will make the people of this country sit 
up and take notice before another year has passed/’ 

“Shall we put her in the slings, sir?” Paul asked, 
and Mr. Sawtelle, after one searching glance at the 
sky, replied decidedly: 

“Not a bit of it. We will never have more favora- 
ble weather for a long flight than to-day, and I pro- 
pose that we make the voyage to Seaview. Bring 
out the wireless apparatus, boys, and we will give our 
Silver Fox a thorough trying out.” 

By this time the Nera had been put about and was 
returning to the harbor. The Silver Fox had been 
made ready for a second voyage, with the wireless 
attached, before the yacht came to anchor, and Zenas 
hurried ashore at full speed, saying breathlessly when 
he aproached the “hotel” : 

“Pve got nothin’ more to say agin the crow-chaser 
from this time out ! My ! didn’t she fly like a daisy ?” 

“Do daisies fly?” Paul asked laughingly, and Mas- 
ter Cushing added emphatically: 

“It makes no difference whether they do or not, 
she’s one, an’ a whole flock of birds inter the bargain ! 
What’s goin’ on now?” 

Paul explained that it was Mr. Sawtelle’s inten- 
tion to make the voyage to Seaview, and Zenas, who 
had declared again and again that he “wasn’t fool 
enough to trust his body on a crow-chaser,” ex- 
claimed enviously: 

“Jiminy! But I wish I had a chance to go in 
her! I’d like to see Capt’in Tobi’s eyes stick out 
when she comes flutterin’ down inter that bloomin’ 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


325 

town. He’ll think the last day is here for certain, 
when she first heaves in sight.” 

‘‘And you’re willing to say that, after all the sport 
you have made about sailing in the air?” Ned cried. 

“I showed myself to be a fool, that’s what. I’ve 
been a good deal as Daniel an’ his boys were when 
you rigged up the wireless here, an’ they figgered 
that words couldn’t be sent from one place to an- 
other without wires for ’em to go on. What do you 
think of it, Sam?” 

Master Downs made no attempt to reply. With 
his hands thrust deep in his trousers pockets he stood 
gazing intently at the aeroplane as if still doubting 
the evidences of his own eyes, and Zenas added in an 
odd tone: 

“What chance will John Ed have in a fog now? 
I’m allowin’ this ’ere machine is a wrinkle or two 
above him, eh?” 

“I never expected to see sich a sight as her sailin’ 
’round the island, an’ it don’t seem possible even now 
that it was really done!” old Daniel exclaimed to no 
one in particular, and Mr. Sawtelle added laughingly: 

“Perhaps you’ll believe it better when we set off 
once more. The world has been moving, Daniel, 
during all the while you have vegetated on this 
island, and it is barely possible your friend Bingham 
won’t be able to keep up with the procession. Burn- 
ing buildings, and running to and fro in a dory pro- 
pelled only by oars, is a little behind the times even 
in the committing of crimes.” 

“He’s no friend of mine,” Mr. Downs made haste 


326 


THE AEROPLANE 


to say as he looked meaningly at Sam, and the latter 
shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he 
continued to gaze like one in a daze at the Silver 
Fox. 

‘^Are we to run the Neva again, sir?” Master Cush- 
ing asked. ^We can’t hope to keep anywhere near 
you, after the speed that’s been shown.” 

''You may as well get under way now, and head 
in a direct line for Seaview. I count on passing 
over the yacht before you are many miles away; but, 
as a matter of course, it is impossible to say that 
we shall get along without trouble, therefore keep a 
sharp eye out for the aeroplane.” 

"I’ll do that, sir, an’ from this on, instead of 
tryin’ to be a sailor, I count on fittin’ myself for a 
first-class high flyer.” 

Then Master Cushing and the engineer hastened 
back to the harbor, and this time Paul noted that 
they made all speed to get under way, for there was 
no longer any question in their minds of driving the 
Nera too fast. 

To make ready for the second voyage was but a 
short task after the wireless had been swung in place, 
and, looking very proud, Ned took his seat on the 
aeroplane just behind the aviator, as Paul asked : 

"Are you to send me the first message, or shall I 
keep on calling you?” 

"Ill telegraph when we pass the Nera, and again 
after we come within sight of Seaview.” 

"How long do you reckon it’ll take you to fly 
across?” Mr. Downs asked, having partially recov- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


327 

ered from the stupefaction caused by the successful 
flight of the Silver Fox. 

‘‘We’ll make the voyage easily within an hour, if 
the motor works as it should, and be back here in time 
for an early dinner,” Mr. Sawtelle replied as he 
seated himself and gave the signal for Paul to let 
on the power by turning the propeller. 

Once more the machine rose gently but surely into 
the air. Ned, believing there would be felt some 
violent shock as the Silver Fox left the ground, took 
a firm hold of the braces near at hand, and much to 
his surprise would not have been able to say when the 
aeroplane ascended, so imperceptible was the motion. 
He hardly felt the Jar of the wheels as the fabric 
was propelled on land forty or fifty feet, and then 
it was as if the island had dropped out from beneath 
him, for he could no longer see those who had assisted 
in setting the air-ship in motion, save by looking down- 
ward. 

He had expected to be dizzy on gazing at the earth 
after having risen a considerable distance, and hardly 
dared turn his eyes earthward ; but again he was mis- 
taken. It was quite different from being on the top 
of a high building, for he had no sense of insecureness, 
and the rush through the air exhilarated instead of 
causing fear. 

Involuntarily he shrank backward when they passed 
over the line of white water which marked the en- 
trance to Swallow-tailed Cove. It seemed for the 
moment as if they must of necessity fight their way 
through the foam-crested waves, and then came a 


328 


THE AEROPLANE 


strange, exultant sensation as of being superior to 
those on the earth. 

Mr. Sawtelle remained motionless, his hands resting 
lightly on the levers, after the Silver Fox had attained 
the desired height and was sailing on what sailors 
might call an 'Wen keel,” and, understanding some- 
what of that which was in his companion’s mind, 
asked laughingly : 

"Well, what about it, lad? Do you find any reason 
for being afraid?” 

"Not a bit of it, sir, and the odd part is that I 
can look down without growing dizzy, as would be 
the case if I was on the topmast-head of a large 
vessel.” 

"It is the perfection of sailing,” was the enthu- 
siastic reply. "I’ve been up in an aeroplane many 
times; but only on two occasions have I done the 
navigating. I formerly believed the Nera couldn’t 
be improved upon; but surely this machine which we 
have built is her superior in every way.” 

"Except that in case of a wreck you haven’t much 
chance to battle for your life. It is a matter of falling 
to be dashed to pieces.” 

"Death is no more certain in event of the wreck of 
an aeroplane, than if you were on the water. Sup- 
pose the Nera struck the reef that shows in front of 
Swallow-tailed Cove, at low tide? You wouldn’t 
be in any danger of falling; but the chances are as 
an hundred to one that you’d be dashed to death 
against the rocks, or sucked beneath the surface to 
drown. In this machine, if the motor becomes dis- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


329 

abled, we still have the fabric itself to bear us up, 
and should descend without any great velocity.” 

‘^Do you believe that Paul and I could make and 
sail such a craft as this?” Ned asked, his thoughts 
soaring far into the future. 

‘‘Why not? To navigate her is simply a matter 
of keeping the motor at work, as on the Neva, and to 
become familiar with the levers which direct the 
rudder and the raising or lowering of either side. 
But what about telegraphing? There's the yacht, 
and Zenas is waving his hat as if believing we needed 
encouragement.” 

It did not seem possible to the lad that they could 
have sailed far enough to overtake the Neva, for the 
yacht had left the harbor a full fifteen minutes before 
the Silver Fox was got under way, and yet there 
was the little craft, looking now like a toy boat, just 
beneath. A moment later she lay far astern, and 
by the time Ned had his instrument working, was 
almost lost to view in the distance. 

Then it was that Paul, in the telegraph-room of the 
“hotel,” received these words from out the clear air: 

“Just passed Neva. Looked as if standing still; 
but from the wake I knew Zenas was pushing her 
for all she was worth.” 

“How does it feel to fly?” Paul asked by aid of 
the key which sent the series of dots and dashes as 
sound waves through the ether. 

“Great. A fellow can’t be afraid. It is simply 
a case of sitting still and feeling the air rush past 
you. Will send word when we make Seaview.” 


330 


THE AEROPLANE 


Mr. Simpson was in the telegraph-room waiting to 
hear some news of the air voyagers, and shortly before 
Paul received the message from Ned, Mr. Downs and 
his two sons crowded into the doorway without 
actually daring to enter, each still looking dazed. 

Just then the world on Barren Island was moving 
so swiftly that they had, so to speak, no opportunity 
to catch their breath. 

^^Do you allow your chum can send any word by 
this ’ere contraption while he’s in the air?” the old 
man asked, speaking slowly and with a certain un- 
usual tone of respect, as if the success of the aeroplane 
caused him to stand in awe of those who had had 
a hand in the making of the wonderful machine. 

‘There is no reason why he can’t,” Paul replied 
cheerily, and at the same instant came the crackling 
and snapping noises which told that the antennae had 
caught certain sound waves such as had a meaning to 
the initiated. 

Then, later, Paul repeated what Ned had sent, and 
Mr. Downs was again overwhelmed by amazement. 

“To think I was fool enough to call that ’ere 
machine a crow-chaser! Why it must have sailed 
like a bird to catch the Neva so soon.” 

“You have seen how fast it can go,” Mr. Simpson 
suggested, and old Daniel replied slowly: 

“I allow I saw the thing sail ’round the island, an’ 
yet I can’t make it seem more’n a dream. To think 
I called it a crow-chaser! Jest to think I showed 
myself sich a fool!” 

“That is not the only way in which you have given 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


331 


evidence of folly within the past few weeks, Daniel,” 
Mr. Simpson said gravely. ‘'You must come to real- 
ize that there are people in this world besides John 
Ed Bingham, and that while he and you have been 
standing still, others have taken part in the progress 
which is being made from day to day.” 

“An’ to think I called it a crow-chaser!” the old 
man repeated as he turned to leave the building. 

Ten minutes later Paul received the following from 
the operator on the aeroplane : 

“Within sight Sea view. Silver Fox sailing like 
a bird. Great sport this flying. Nothing like it.” 

“Are you counting on stopping at Seaview?” Paul 
asked, and Ned replied: 

“The captain says we shall. He thinks We 

have just passed over John Ed in his dory entering 
harbor.” 

Regarding this last bit of information Paul would 
have made some comment; but repeated calls failed 
to provoke any reply. Communication seemed to 
have been shut off suddenly, and, since the weather 
conditions were all that could have been desired for 
wireless telegraphing, he could do no better than guess 
that the journey had come to an end. 

“They have most likely alighted,” he said to his 
father who yet remained in the room to hear the 
messages sent by the voyagers. “What a commotion 
it must have caused when they settled down into 
Seaview! Ed give considerable to see Captain Tobi’s 
face just now!” 

“One can readily fancy how he looked, and what 


332 


THE AEROPLANE 


he said,” Mr. Simpson replied laughingly. ^^Now 
since Sawtelle has demonstrated his ability to build 
an air craft that can be navigated, the possibilities 
seem limitless, and Barren Island will show up as a 
place of more importance than simply a farm for the 
rearing of silver foxes.” 

“How can that be when the aeroplane is hardly 
more than a plaything, like the Neraf 

“Sawtelle has it in mind to establish here a large 
factory for the building of air craft of all kinds. The 
Silver Fox has been made simply to demonstrate the 
value of his model, and there can be no question as 
to its success, therefore you may reckon with rea- 
sonable certainty that this island will soon be a busy 
place.” 

“Meaning that all hands of us are to turn air-ship 
builders rather than fox farmers,” Paul said with a 
laugh, unable to realize the full importance of his 
father’s words. 

“We shall hold on to the foxes, my boy; but they 
have become of secondary importance now the aero- 
plane works so well. What may be the result when 
twenty or thirty men are living here I am unable to 
say; but fear ” 

“Why should so many men come?” Paul asked in 
astonishment. 

“I have just told you that Sawtelle counts on es- 
tablishing extensive works here, and a large number 
of laborers will be necessary for the carrying out of 
his plans. We can prevent the employes from 
going on that part of the island where are the foxes; 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


333 


but I fear that the noise and confusion consequent 
upon the building operations will go far toward ruin- 
ing my project. Call Ned again; they should have 
brought their visit to an end by this time.’’ 

Paul did as his father directed, and was not a little 
concerned because he had failed to receive any reply 
at the end of ten minutes’ almost incessant calling. 

^^Very likely Sawtelle is giving the astonished in- 
habitants of Seaview ample opportunity of viewing 
the aeroplane,” Mr. Simpson said as if he failed to 
see anything to cause alarm in this prolonged silence; 
but Paul was not so comfortable in mind. 

‘Tf they were to stay there many minutes surely 
Ned would run up to our station and send some word, 
for of course the wireless on board the aeroplane is 
useless while the machine remains on the ground. 
He promised to keep me posted as to what was going 
on,” the lad said nervously, and his father replied 
laughingly : 

^'Sawtelle probably finds it hard work to get away 
from such men as Captain Tobi and Mansfield. It 
is only natural they’d want the general construction 
of the craft explained, and he may be expecting each 
minute to get away, therefore Ned wouldn’t be allowed 
to go up to your station.” 

Paul was forced to be satisfied with this explanation, 
since it was not possible to get any other; but he was 
more than worried because of the silence, and con- 
tinued to repeat Ned’s call from time to time until 
half an hour more had passed, when he was over- 
joyed at hearing the letters p — 1 sounded twice. 


334 


THE AEROPLANE 


''O. K. p — 1/’ he replied, and continued with, 'T 
have been wondering why ’’ 

He was not able to finish the sentence, for instantly 
Ned attempted to send a message, and, switching on 
the receiver once more, he was startled at reading 
from the instrument : 

^^Bring your father at once in the Hampton. Bing- 
ham has made trouble. Where is the Neraf^ 

‘'Haven’t seen her since she left, before you 
started. What is the matter ?” 

“No time to explain. Hurry your father over.” 

Paul waited for further word while one might have 
counted twenty; but the instrument remained silent, 
and it was reasonable to suppose Ned had ceased send- 
ing because of some serious trouble. 

Mr. Simpson had left the building five minutes 
before Ned’s urgent summons was received, and with- 
out saying to what part of the island he intended 
to go. 

Paul ran to the door and looked hurriedly in every 
direction; but without seeing anyone until Sam 
lounged into view. 

Just for an instant the thought came that this lad 
had some knowledge of what Bingham might have 
attempted in the way of injuring the aeroplane, and 
was now loitering around in the hope of hearing that 
the plot had been successful. 

Paul dismissed the suspicion, however, almost as 
soon as it had been formed in his mind, knowing full 
well that there could have been no communication 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


335 


between the old smuggler and this member of the 
Downs family since the voyage to Seaview was de- 
cided upon, and said to the boy, speaking in the tone 
of one to whom even seconds are precious: 

^^Go as fast as you can toward the spring to find 
my father. Tell him it is of the greatest importance 
he meet me at the harbor without loss of time. I’ll 
run around this end of Swallow-tailed Cove to see 
if he may be there. Hurry, Sam, for this is the time 
when you can make amends for the past.’’ 

‘^What’s started up so awful sudden?” Master 
Downs asked with a drawl, seemingly not one whit 
disturbed by Paul’s excitement and alarm. 

‘Hon’t stop to talk now; but hurry! I’ll tell you 
about it later. Go, do you hear? Move quickly!” 

It is not certain Sam would have obeyed until after 
his curiosity had been satisfied; but, fortunately for 
Paul’s purpose, Mr. Downs came out of the building 
at this moment, and when the lad hastily said it was 
necessary his father be sent to the harbor at the 
earliest possible moment, the old farmer was stirred 
to immediate action. Master Sam was packed off as 
rapidly as he ever moved before, and Paul ran around 
the northern end of the island. 

Not less than ten minutes elapsed before Mr. 
Simpson appeared on the shore of the harbor, and then 
Paul was in the Hampton boat with the anchor hove 
short, ready to get under way at once. 

“What is the trouble?” Mr. Simpson asked in sur- 
prise, and Paul shouted hurriedly : 


336 


THE AEROPLANE 


aboard and I’ll tell you after we have 
started. Ned telegraphed that you were to come at 
once.’^ 

Mr. Simpson was in the dory before his son had 
ceased speaking, and instantly he gained a footing on 
the Hampton boat Paul started the motor at full 
speed. 

Then was repeated the message which had come 
by wireless, and the owner of Silver Fox Farm looked 
decidedly troubled as he muttered half to himself : 

“How has it been possible that Bingham could do 
any harm to the aeroplane? Ned must have made 
some mistake.” 

“You can’t believe he would send such a message; 
without having been ordered to do so by Mr. Saw- 
telle?” 

“No, no, I hardly knew what I said. Yet how can 
we be of any assistance? It will take us nearly two 
hours to run over there if the motor works well, and 
by that time Bingham could have done the mischief, 
or been beaten off. But where is the Neraf* 

“That seems to be about as mysterious as the rest 
of it,” Paul replied as he held the little craft straight 
on her course. “Ned telegraphed that they had 
passed over John Ed, and in such case I fail to under- 
stand what he could do. Then again, the Nera had 
time to go to Seaview and come back before the 
last message regarding her was received.” 

The longer father and son discussed the matter 
the more bewildered and perplexed were they. The 
only part of the day’s work which was not in the 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


337 


highest degree mystifying, was the behavior of the 
Hampton boat, and she was doing her full duty in 
a manner that could be understood as well as ad- 
mired. 

With a big bone in her teeth she sailed at full 
speed on the most direct course to Seaview, with 
never a slip nor a catch of the motor, as if bent on 
giving her crew an opportunity to solve the mystery 
at the earliest possible moment 


CHAPTER XVIII 

THE ATTACK 

In order the better to understand why Ned had 
sent out what was neither more nor less than a cry 
for help, it will be well to go back in the story to the 
beginning of the trial trip, when the Silver Fox left 
Barren Island. 

The wonder of that journey, which was so enchant- 
ing to Ned until it came to an abrupt end at Seaview 
was, that he had no sensation of fear even when Mr. 
Sawtelle sent the aeroplane high in the air, and again 
allowed her to descend until it was as if she simply 
skimmed over the tops of the lazy waves. There was 
to him such a feeling of confidence in the stability 
of the machine; so great a faith that it was possible 
to make her do whatever the steersman desired, that 
he could not have felt more secure from disaster had 
he been on board the well-tried Nera, 

The exhilaration of passing swiftly through the 
clear air, with neither reefs nor shoals to cause 
anxiety, was so great that it was only with difficulty 
he prevented himself from crying aloud in triumph 
and joy. The possibility of danger had no place in 
his thoughts, and the single regret was that Paul 
could not be with him to share in the wondrous hap- 
piness. 

It was not quite a simple matter to work the wire- 
less from his narrow perch, for the passenger ac- 
commodations of the Silver Fox. were limited; but he 
338 


THE AEROPLANE 


339 

so far succeeded that Paul, as we know, had no diffi- 
culty in deciphering the dots and dashes. 

Then came the first glimpse of Seaview, and he 
mentally hugged himself as he thought of the excite- 
ment that would ensue when the aeroplane, hovering 
a few moments above the little town, settled down like 
a bird seeking rest, in the open common back of Cap- 
tain Tobi’s home. 

He was mentally patting himself on the head be- 
cause it had been his good fortune to take part in 
this trial trip, when Mr. Sawtelle said sharply: 

‘Hook just beneath us at the dory!’’ 

“Why it’s John Ed!” Ned cried as if it was the 
most astonishing thing in the world that the old 
smuggler should be there, and as he began tele- 
graphing the surprising fact to Paul, Bingham stood 
up in his boat in order to see the better, rubbing his 
eyes in bewilderment. 

“The fog wouldn’t have helped you if this machine 
had been built at the time you gave us the slip,” Ned 
shouted as he finished the message to Paul, and be- 
cause the aeroplane was no more than an hundred 
fifty feet above the water at that time, Mr. Bingham 
had no difficulty in understanding all the boy said. 

It surely seemed as if he must have heard consid- 
erable regarding the progress made in the naviga- 
tion of the air, for on the instant his look of surprise 
vanished, and allowing himself to drop back on the 
thwart the smuggler cried in a tone of rage : 

“I’m not needin’ a fog to square matters! Don’t 
crow too soon, for it may be that the time is close 


340 


THE AEROPLANE 


by when I’ll wipe off the score that was run up by 
you folks goin’ out’er your way to send me to prison !” 

John Ed added very much more, as could be 
guessed by his gestures ; but the Silver Fox was sail- 
ing so swiftly that only these words could be distin- 
guished, and Ned said with a laugh which bespoke 
the confidence he had in the staunchness of the aero- 
plane : 

"‘He’s beginning to understand that we can no 
longer be harmed by what he may try to do. It is 
an easy matter to bore a hole in the hull of the Nera;^ 
but a craft like this, flying so far beyond his reach, 
is a bit too much for him.” 

“The only injury he may do is by coming ashore 
on Barren Island, as when the first machine was 
wrecked; but now his snug hiding-place has been 
found, thanks to Zenas, there’s little fear he could 
succeed in his villainy even though the entire Downs 
family conspired to aid him,” Mr. Sawtelle replied 
confidently, and then he laughed heartily, for at that 
moment the inhabitants of Seaview were swarming 
out of their houses and shops like bees from a hive, 
as they gazed and pointed at the strange craft 
directly above their heads. 

The owner of the Neva was bent on giving the good 
people of the village an exhibition of the aeroplane’s 
qualities, for instead of alighting immediately he 
swooped down until the antennae of the wireless nearly 
dragged on the roof of Mansfield’s shop, and then 
rose again while the excited citizens shouted them- 
selves hoarse in a frenzy of fear or admiration. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


341 


'T can hear Captain Tobi’s voice above all the 
rest,” Ned said laughingly, for taking part in such 
a performance was much to his liking. ‘"Hell try 
to make out that this is no new thing to him, and yet 
it’s certain he never saw an aeroplane before.” 

‘They shall know what it is to sail in the air,” Mr. 
Sawtelle replied grimly, steering the light fabric in 
circles above the heads of the people, and handling 
her as readily as he would have handled a water craft. 

“Ahoy 1” came in tempest notes from the earth 
below, and there was no need for Ned to say that 
Captain Tobi was shouting. “Does that ’ere con- 
traption come from Barren Island?” 

“The Silver Fox^ from Barren Island, on a cruise. 
Report us,” Mr. Sawtelle cried merrily. 

“Heave to an’ let’s have a look at yer ! I’ve Heered 
of sich things; but by the great James I never ex- 
pected to see one! Heave to an’ let go your anchor. 
We’ll haul you down.” 

“We’re not needing help when it comes to making 
harbor,” the helmsman cried laughingly, and again the 
Silver Fox was sent nearly to the earth; but only to 
rise again and mount higher and higher in circles 
until she must have been a full eight hundred feet 
above the astounded throng. 

“Now we’ll show Captain Tobi how to make a 
landing,” Mr. Sawtelle said gleefully, swinging the 
machine around as if to sail out to sea, and then, cir- 
cling again, made preparations to alight on the com- 
mon. 

The Silver Fox was yet two hundred feet or more 


342 


THE AEROPLANE 


from the ground when Ned heard what sounded like 
the snapping of a fire-cracker, and, involuntarily look- 
ing down, he saw a tiny puff of smoke at the same 
instant that a second report came to his ears. 

^‘What is it?’^ he asked without the faintest suspi- 
cion that these noises betokened danger to the 
machine. 

“Someone is shooting at us,’’ Mr. Sawtelle replied 
sharply, as he strove to change the course of the 
aeroplane with a view to fleeing from the peril. 

“Shooting at us!” Ned exclaimed. “Surely they 
wouldn’t do a thing like that 1” 

Then could be heard the hum of voices raised in 
anger, loud shouts, and hoarse commands, while again 
came that crackling noise which told that a fire-arm 
of some kind had been discharged, and it seemed to 
Ned as if the Silver Fox swayed to and fro like a 
wounded bird. 

“Look out for yourself, lad ! That villain has dis- 
abled the steering gear! Don’t jump until we are 
close to the ground, and not even then unless the 
machine is settling too rapidly.” 

The shouts of rage from below increased. Paul 
could see that the people were running to and fro as 
if in pursuit of someone, and then a word from the 
steersman warned him that the moment of peril was 
close at hand. 

“Keep your wits about you, lad! We should be 
able to come down all right; the danger is at the 
instant we strike, when the machine will be crushed. 
Strive to keep clear of the wreckage I” 



% 


"KEEP YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU, LAD!" 




AT SILVER FOX FARM 


343 


The words were no more than spoken before the 
Silver Fox was plowing her way along the common 
toward a small hill crowned by a stone wall, against 
which it seemed certain she must strike. 

‘'Stand well out on the lower braces, and then 
jump!” Mr. Sawtelle cried as he stood up ready to 
act upon his own suggestion, and then Ned felt him- 
self hurled through the air until his body came in 
painful contact with some unyielding surface, after 
which all was a blank. 

When the boy next became conscious of his sur- 
roundings, someone was bellowing in his ear and at 
the same time tugging at his arm. 

"Perk up, lad, there’s nothin’ the matter with you, 
though you may be a bit shook up. Come around, I 
tell you, an’ let this be a lesson that you’ll remember 
to your last day, for when a man tries sailin’ on air 
he’s likely to come to smash somehow or other.” 

As a matter of course Ned understood it was Cap- 
tain Tobi who thus shouted and pulled, for there was 
no other man within an hundred miles of Seaview 
who had such strength of lungs, and when the lad 
opened his eyes it was to ask : 

"Did somebody try to shoot us ?” 

"I reckon that’s what they did, lad, an’, ’cordin’ to 
the looks of things, come mighty nigh hittin’ the 
mark. How’er you feelin’?” 

"I’ll be all right in a minute,” Ned replied as he 
rose to a sitting posture with Captain Tobi’s vigorous 
aid. "Who fired the gun?” 

"That miserable sneak of a smuggler, John Ed 


344 


THE AEROPLANE 


Bingham. He’s try in’ mighty hard to land in jail 
agin, an’ we’ll put him there next time he comes 
’round this way, even if I never see a cent of the 
money he owes me for the Zoe!^ 

‘Where is he now?” 

“ ’Twixt here an’ Barren Island, I reckon. He was 
headin’ that way last time I saw him, an’ he wouldn’t 
have got off sound an’ whole if any of this ’ere crowd 
had had sense enough to put after him in Mansfield’s 
power boat.” 

“We passed him when we were nearing the town, 
and I can’t understand how he got here so soon,” 
Ned said half to himself, and Captain Tobi roared: 

“He can handle a pair of oars better’n any other 
man I ever saw. I reckon he had the rifle with him 
in the boat, an’ made up his mind that the time had 
come when he could do a little more’n the ordinary 
run of mischief. He came to anchor at the head of 
the dock, an’ began firin’ while the man what owns 
the ISlera was cuttin’ capers in the sky as a way of 
showin’ off, I allow. You see, Bingham was so far 
away by the time we got our wits about us enough 
to give chase, he’d winged that ’ere contrivance of 
your’n, an’ was headin’ for open water in that old 
dory of his’n.” 

“Where is Mr. Sawtelle?” Ned asked, not fully un- 
derstanding all that Captain Tobi had said, for his 
head was humming too severely to admit of connected 
thought. 

“Yonder, pickin’ up what’s left of his bird. That 
man must be the same as a nat’ral born fool, to think 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


345 

he can go flyin’ here an’ there like an old maid loon 
what’s swore off on swimmin’.” 

^‘The aeroplane would have worked all right if 
Bingham hadn’t disabled the steering gear,” Ned cried 
hotly, not minded that anyone should attempt to be- 
little the performance of the Silver Fox without re- 
monstrance from him. 

‘It’s goin’ clean agin nature to build them ’ere 
flyin’ machines,” the old sailor roared as if in anger, 
and then, suddenly remembering what the aeroplane 
had done, he added in a more subdued tone; “but I 
must admit, lad, that she stood off an’ on in a way 
to have done credit to the best ship ever built. Tell 
me, did you on Barren Island put the thing to- 
gether ?” 

“We built her, of course, and we’ll build another 
if she is wrecked past repair. I must find Mr. Saw- 
telle, and then send word to the island,” Ned replied, 
rising to his feet and staggering not a little as he made 
his way toward the stone wall on the hill where he 
could see a large number of people clustered closely 
together. 

Captain Tobi followed close by his side asking so 
many questions that the lad, yet dizzy and faint from 
the effects of the fall, failed to understand any of 
them. 

He had hardly more than come up to the outermost 
of the curious ones who had gathered around the 
wounded air craft, when Mr. Sawtelle saw and hailed 
him with the question : 

“Have you been hurt much, lad?” 


346 


THE AEROPLANE 


‘‘No, sir; I'm all right, or will be after my head 
gets a little more steady.” 

“Can you go over to your station and telegraph to 
the island ?” 

“Yes, sir; but Bingham ” 

“Never mind about that scoundrel!” Mr. Sawtelle 
cried hotly. “Get word across as quickly as possible, 
and tell Simpson to come over at once in the Hampton 
boat. Where the Nera can be I fail to understand.” 

“But when Bingham ” Ned began, intending to 

make Mr. Sawtelle aware of the fact that the old 
smuggler had put to sea heading for Barren Island; 
but that gentleman was too excited to have all his wits 
about him, and cried angrily : 

“Do as I have told you ! Don't attempt to explain 
to them what has happened, for it will take too long; 
but let Simpson understand that he must get here at 
once.” 

Ned realized that it would not be well to linger 
in the hope of imparting information regarding John 
Ed, and, promising himself that he would insist on 
Mr. Sawtelle's hearing the story after he had sent the 
message, hurried away, while Captain Tobi remained 
with the throng of curious ones, striving in vain to 
get reply to the many questions which he literally 
hurled at the head of the N era* s owner. 

Five minutes later the lad had sent those words 
which caused Paul so much alarm, and then, believing 
it was of the utmost importance Mr. Sawtelle should 
be forced to know of Bingham's movements, because 
the island would be deserted^ save for the Downs fam- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


347 


ily, after Mr. Simpson and his son Had started, he 
hastened toward the hill where was the disabled aero- 
plane. 

It was fully half an hour before he could gain the 
attention of his employer, so excited and angry was 
that gentleman, and then, after many futile attempts, 
he repeated what Captain Tobi had said. 

‘'Yes, he may be heading for the island,” Mr. Saw- 
telle said in a tone of irritation, after considering the 
matter a moment ; “but we are powerless to check him 
just yet. Simpson should be here within an hour, and 
then, after having put what is left of the Silver Fox 
aboard the Hampton, we’ll do our best to get back 
before the smuggler has very much time in which to 
worry the foxes. Why the Nera isn’t here I fail ut- 
terly of understanding. Zenas had orders to come 
directly across, and there is no good excuse for his 
absence when we are needing him so sorely.” 

Ned turned away in disappointment. Although 
having no idea as to what could be done, he believed 
that Mr. Sawtelle, on learning there was danger Bing- 
ham might land within a very short time on the 
island, would be able to do something toward blocking 
the old smuggler’s game, if so be he had one. 

Now it seemed as if John Ed would succeed in 
working all the mischief he had in his wicked head. 
The Nera was at sea, Ned could not so much as guess 
where, and on board her was Zenas Cushing, the one 
man among all the employes who had shown that he 
might be able to thwart the designs of the man who 
was bent on paying off an old score. 


348 


THE AEROPLANE 


Mr. Simpson and Paul were between the island and 
the mainland, doing their best to reach Seaview within 
the shortest possible time, and none remained to guard 
the farm but the Downs family, all four of whom 
stood in mortal fear of Bingham. That mischief- 
maker could sail boldly into the harbor without fear 
of meeting with opposition, and then work his pleas- 
ure upon the foxes, to say nothing of the evil that 
might be wrought in and around the ‘^hotel.’’ 

‘T can’t understand why Mr. Sawtelle should have 
sent for Paul and his father, when we might have 
hired Mansfield’s power boat to take the wreck of 
the aeroplane across, in case the Nera doesn’t put in 
an appearance before we are ready to start,” Ned 
muttered disconsolately. ^^Mr. Simpson ought to 
have been left on the island to keep the Downs family 
straight, and surely Paul’s place is in the telegraph- 
room so that the two partners may be in communi- 
cation. We have played directly into Bingham’s hands 
by bringing everyone over here.” 

Ned could effect nothing by thus scolding to him- 
self, and soon came to understand such fact. Mr. 
Sawtelle was busily engaged directing the movements 
of those whom he had hired to carry the wreck of the 
Silver Fox to the pier, that it might be loaded on the 
Hampton boat immediately she arrived, and there was 
really nothing the lad could do in the way of better- 
ing the situation. 

He sauntered leisurely toward the pier, and, once 
arrived, seated himself on a pile of lumber “where he 
watched for the coming of Paul, for there was no 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


349 

longer any hope in his mind that Zenas .would appear 
in time to be of any assistance. ' 

It was useless to make any attempt at guessing what 
might have delayed the Neva, It seemed certain some- 
thing out of the ordinary must have happened; yet 
his wildest flights of fancy failed of hitting upon any 
solution that seemed probable. 

The citizens of Seaview arrived on the pier with 
the wreck of the Silver Fox, and at first glance it ap- 
peared to Ned that the destruction was so nearly com- 
plete it would be impossible to repair the craft; but 
he soon came to understand that Mr. Sawtelle had 
detached all movable parts for greater ease of trans- 
portation, and the only real injury was to the steering 
gear, which could readily be restored to its former 
condition. 

When Mr. Sawtelle had made certain there was 
nothing more his volunteer assistants could do, and 
it was now only a question of waiting with such of 
patience as might be possible, for the arrival of the 
Hampton boat, or the Neva, he came up to where 
Ned was listlessly watching the proceedings, saying 
as he wiped the tiny streams of perspiration from his 
face: 

“We have come out of it better than we had any 
right to expect, lad. Neither you nor I are seriously 
hurt, and the damage to the aeroplane can be repaired 
by a day’s labor. That scoundrelly smuggler counted 
on killing us, as it appears to me, else he was so ex- 
cited at having an opportunity to do mischief that he 
failed to realize what might be the result of disabling 


350 


THE AEROPLANE 


the machine. This time he can be arrested for having 
committed a murderous assault, and the charge is a 
serious one/^ 

‘‘In the meantime he is free to do as he pleases 
on Barren Island,^’ Ned replied bitterly. “None of 
the Downs family would dare to oppose him in what- 
ever he might attempt, and before we can run the 
Hampton boat back, the foxes will have suffered.’' 

“All of which could have been prevented had Zenas 
obeyed orders,” the owner of the Neva cried angrily. 
“If he had come straight across, it would have been 
possible for him to set off in pursuit of Bingham with 
every chance of overtaking the villain. As it is, we 
must make the best of a bad matter, if indeed there is 
any best to it, consoling ourselves with the promise to 
soon serve John Ed out as he deserves.” 

“Where do you suppose the Neva is just now?” Ned 
asked, and Mr. Sawtelle replied sharply as he gazed 
seaward : 

“A dozen miles to sea, most like, on some pleasur- 
ing or experimental cruise of Cushing’s. When next 
I see that young man, he will have a very good idea 
that it is his duty to obey such orders as are given 
him.’^ 

Then the owner of the Nera relapsed into silence, 
and no word passed between him and the lad until 
a tiny black dot on the waters, far away to the 
eastward, told that the Hampton boat was nearing the 
town. 

Half an hour later Paul was on the pier listening to 
Ned’s story of what John Ed had succeeded in ac- 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


351 

complishing, and when the hurried recital had come to 
an end Master Simpson asked in surprise: 

'^Wasn’t Zenas anywhere near to take a hand?” 

^The Neva hasn’t arrived here. Mr. Sawtelle 
thinks Zenas has put to sea, bent on some foolish ex- 
periment, and it is safe to say that young Mr. Cush- 
ing will get the wigging of his life when he next 
comes within hail of the yacht’s owner.” 

The boys were allowed but little time for private 
conversation. Before Paul could comment upon the 
news imparted by Ned, Mr. Sawtelle called for the 
boys to bear a hand in putting the disabled aeroplane 
on board the Hampton boat, and no sooner had this 
been done than the craft was gotten under way at 
once. Captain Tobi calling in tempest note as she 
glided swiftly away from the pier: 

‘^Next time you people get ready to fly, take care 
there’s nobody nigh to shoot the tail feathers out’er 
your bird.” 

'The way to avoid anything more of the kind 
is to put Bingham where he can’t be so free with 
fire-arms,” Mr. Sawtelle replied grimly. 'Tn that task 
I’m expecting you people of Seaview will do what 
you can to aid me. It is a disgrace to the entire 
state that a man like John Ed should be allowed to 
make a deliberate attempt at murder.” 

"We’re with you in that, all right; but before he’s 
clapped inter prison agin I’m countin’ to make the 
rascal pay what he owes for the Zoe, an’ when he 
has squared up you shall have a whack at him.” 

By this time the Hampton boat was too far from 


35.2 


THE AEROPLANE 


the pier to admit of further conversation with the 
citizens of Seaview, and the owner of the Nera said 
bitterly : 

‘'Captain Tobi can’t be made to believe that Bing- 
ham has committed any greater crime than that of 
refusing to pay for the boat he bought so long ago, 
and I’m inclined to believe the old sailor would for- 
give him for this day’s work if paying the debt was 
to be the price of the pardon.” 

"The people of Seaview have a very clear idea 
that Bingham should be punished for his many 
crimes,” Mr. Simpson replied; "but, like Daniel and 
his family, they are afraid to take a very active part 
in running him down, lest he work them a mischief 
later. Have you any idea as to where the Nera can 
have gone?” 

" I wouldn’t try to guess,” was the angry reply ; 
"but it is certain Zenas Cushing won’t make any 
more independent cruises in her — that is,” he added 
laughingly, "if I ever get an opportunity to give him 
my views on the subject.” 

No one ventured to speak of what might be hap- 
pening on Barren Island. All had reason to believe 
John Ed was on his way there, if he had not already 
landed, and there was too much of anxiety in their 
hearts to admit of discussion regarding the possibili- 
ties. 

It was as if each took good care to avoid the 
subject, and the last portion of the journey was made 
in silence, save for the churning of the screw and 
the detonations of exploding gas in the cylinders. 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


353 


When the Hampton boat rounded the northerly 
point of the little harbor every member of her crew 
strained his eyes to see some evidence of mischief done 
by the old smuggler, and all believed, since they had: 
failed to see him during the voyage, that he must be on 
the island. 

Silver Fox Farm had never looked more peaceful 
than when the Hampton boat swung to her moorings 
and the owners of the island, with the two boys, 
went over the rail into the dory which had been tow- 
ing astern. 

No other craft was to be seen. It was as if the 
Nera had gone to the bottom of the sea, and in case 
John Ed Bingham had really landed on the farm, 
both himself and his dory were well hidden from view. 

Daniel Downs and his two sons, who had evidently 
seen the arrival of the Hampton boat, were coming 
leisurely down to the cove from the ‘‘hotel,^’ wear- 
ing a look of serenity that could not have been as- 
sumed if they had had any knowledge of the happen- 
ings at Seaview. 

‘^Did you get tired of flyin’?’’ the old man asked 
innocently as the voyagers stepped ashore, and in- 
stead of answering the question, Mr. Sawtelle in- 
quired sharply: 

‘^Have you seen anything of the Nera since she left 
port V 

^Wa’al now, I can’t say for certain I did; but me 
an’ the boys kind’er reckoned she went by, hull down, 
to the nor’ard more’n two hours ago. I didn’t give 
any great heed to her, ’cause it wasn’t reasonable to 


354 


THE AEROPLANE 


believe she’d be so far away. Anythin’ the matter 
with the flyin’ machine?” 

‘'Bingham amused himself by shooting at us while 
we were in the air, with the result that our steer- 
ing gear was disabled, and we were forced to come 
back by boat,” Mr. Sawtelle replied curtly, and Paul 
fancied that an expression of fear came over the faces 
of Sam and his father. “Has anyone landed here 
since we left?” 

“Not a single soul, sir,” was the emphatic reply. 
“Except for the craft I’ve been tellin’ you about, we 
haven’t sighted anythin’ in the shape of a boat near 
here, an’ we’ve been what you might call on watch 
all day, countin’ to see you come back jest as perky 
as when you left.” 

Both the owners of Barren Island looked scrutiniz- 
ingly at the old man and his two sons, as if to convince 
themselves of the truth or falsity of his statement, and 
then Mr. Simpson said abruptly: 

“You and your sons are to load the sections of 
the aeroplane into the dory, and bring them ashore. 
We’ll bear a hand when they are on the beach.” 

Mr. Sawtelle had already started toward the “ho- 
tel,” and Paul and Ned followed, eager to be where 
they might gain some rest, for the excitement and 
adventures of the day had wearied them to the verge 
of exhaustion. 

The owner of the Neva apparently forgot that he 
had had nothing to eat since early daybreak, and, 
disregarding the information given by Mrs. Downs 
to the effect that there was “somethin’ left over from 


AT SILVER FOX 


355 


dinner that would kind’er fill their stomachs/’ he led 
the way to the work-tent, or, more properly speak- 
ing, to where the canvas lay on the ground as it had 
been dropped to admit of the exit of the Silver Fox. 

^Tt is my intention to repair the machine that has 
been disabled, and then build an air-ship on somewhat 
the same lines as those used by Count Zeppelin,” he 
exclaimed, throwing himself on the ground wearily. 
‘‘Nothing will be done in that direction, however, 
or in the way of silver fox farming, until we have 
laid Bingham by the heels. From this moment my 
sole purpose shall be to catch that scoundrel. When 
he is taken care of by the ministers of justice, we 
will do as I have said. There is no reason why 
we can’t continue the work even after winter has 
come, and I do not intend to leave this place, save 
in order to procure materials, until we have so much 
in the way of a fleet of air craft as will astonish the 
majority of aviators.” 

Half an hour later, when Mr. Downs and his sons 
came, each carrying some portion of the wounded 
aeroplane, Mr. Simpson set them to work raising the 
tent once more, and after the work-room was in shape 
all hands began the transportation of the crippled 
Silver Fox to the place of its birth. 

The sun had set before this was done, and for at 
least the hundredth time Ned asked Paul in a whisper 
if he believed Zenas would dare remain outside all 
night, when Sam Downs cried excitedly as he pointed 
seaward in the direction of Swallow-tailed Cove: 

“There’s the Nera, an’ it looks as if she’d been 


356 


THE AEROPLANE 


runnin’ a good bit, else why is she cornin’ from the 
eastward ?” 

Paul and Ned shouted with joy, for both had been 
more distressed regarding the possible safety of the 
little yacht and her crew than they would have cared 
to admit; but Mr. Sawtelle’s face took on an ex- 
pression of sternness as he walked slowly toward the 
harbor, causing Ned to whisper: 

‘^Zenas is in for a mighty rough time, unless he 
can give a good reason for putting to sea instead of 
going to Seaview/’ 

‘'And how can he do that? The order was to 
stand straight across to the mainland, and it’s certain 
he didn’t even make a try at doing it.” 

“But he must have some kind of an excuse,” Ned 
persisted, and Paul replied in a tone of irritation: 

“It will have to be a mighty good one, and there’s 
nothing that could have happened to warrant his run- 
ning off contrary to orders. If he’d had anybody 
aboard who could work the wireless, then it might 
be he got a call for help; but we know that neither 
he nor the engineer understands anything about tele- 
graphing.” 

The Nera bore toward the island as if eager to 
be at anchor once more, and when she rounded the 
point, coming into full view of those who had gath- 
ered at the harbor, Paul cried aloud in triumph: 

“He’s been chasing John Ed, and what’s more, he 
has caught him! Look astern, and you’ll see the 
old dory!” 

Although the sun had set, it was not so dark but 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


■357 


that the little company on shore recognized the 
weather-beaten dory owned by the old smuggler, tow- 
ing in the wake of the yacht. Every member of the 
party had seen the battered craft so often there could 
be no mistake as to her identity, and during five 
minutes there was great rejoicing, for all believed 
that the man who had worked so much of mischief 
on Barren Island, and who had it in his heart to work 
still more, was a prisoner aboard the Nera. 

It seemed well-nigh impossible for them to remain 
inactive on the beach while the yacht was anchored 
and Zenas came ashore. Within sixty seconds from 
the time of her appearance around the point, Paul 
and Ned had launched a dory, and, with the owners 
of the island as passengers, were pulling off to the 
'Nera^s mooring-place. 

‘"Where have you been?^’ Mr. Sawtelle shouted 
impatiently even before the dainty little craft had 
come to an anchor, and Zenas replied, but with no 
note of triumph in his voice: 

“Chasin’ John Ed. I was cornin’ up along shore 
from the south’ard when he pulled in at Seaview, hap- 
penin’ to have the glasses at my eyes jest then. I 
knew it stood to reason he’d try to play some funny 
trick, an’ when the Silver Fox began to fall, I didn’t 
need to be told he was at the bottom of it all. Then 
he put off in his dory, an’ we after him. I reckon 
there was so much goin’ on ashore that nobody saw 
us — leastways I couldn’t make out a soul on the dock, 
an’ it wouldn’t have stopped me if I had. There was 
the miserable smuggler pullin’ at the oars as if 


THE AEROPLANE 


35S 

knowin’ somebody would give chase, an’ I wasn’t al- 
lowin’ he should be disappointed as to that part of it.” 

“Did you catch him?” Mr. Sawtelle shouted, no 
longer able to control his impatience, so eager was 
he to learn the result of the chase. 

“No, I didn’t, an’ it seems as if when that villain 
is in a tight place somebody allers bobs up to lend a 
hand.” 

“But you’ve got his dory,” Paul cried, and Zenas 
said mournfully: 

“I know I have, lad, an’ that’s the end of the story.” 

“What do you mean?” Mr. Simpson cried. “How 
is it the end if you didn’t catch him ? Is he drowned ?” 

“No sich good luck,” Master Cushing replied. 
“You see he had a long start of me; but I’d over- 
hauled him if jest at that time, when we was needin’ 
speed more’ll we ever did before, one of the motors 
hadn’t gone out’er commission. By the time the 
engineer got it inter workin’ shape agin, John Ed 
was seven or eight miles out to sea. He’d started 
for the island at first, as I figgered it ; but the minute 
he got a sight of the yacht he headed for open water, 
prayin’, I reckon, for another fog storm.” 

“But it has been as clear as a bell, and there is no 
reason why you shouldn’t have overtaken him, if fi- 
nally the Nera^s motors were working properly,” Mr. 
Sawtelle cried sharply as he clambered over the rail, 
the yacht having come to anchor during the conver- 
sation. 

“Yes; that’s the way it seems when you don’t know 
anythin’ ’bout the kind of luck we was up against,” 


AT SILVER FOX FARM 


359 


Zenas replied with a sigh. 'VVe Went after him in 
good shape, an’ wasn’t more’n two miles off when a 
steam yacht cut across the course in a way that would 
bring her mighty nigh John Ed. I allowed v^e had 
him then, for certain, never thinkin’ the fresh-water 
sailors aboard the stranger would help sich a miser- 
able scallawag. He worked it fine, though, an’ that 
I’m bound to admit. When the steamer was well up 
with him, while we wasn’t more’n a couple of miles 
away, the old snake capsizes his dory, an’ begins to 
flounder ’round in the water like he was drownin’. 
Of course them aboard the steamer hove him a line, 
pullin’ the villain aboard like he was a bloomin’ lob- 
ster, without slowin’ down.” 

^‘Wasn’t you near enough to signal the craft?” Mr. 
Sawtelle demanded. 

'^Aye, sir, that we was * but none of us knew how 
to work them finicky little flags so’s to make ’em 
look like words. I sounded the whistle to beat the 
band, an’ the engineer poked the motors up to do 
their best ; but beyond stringin’ out a lot of signals 
without gettin’ an answer from us on account of our 
not knowin’ the trick, the folks on the steamer didn’t 
pay any more heed than if we’d been a lot of shrimps 
afloat on a shingle. Of course we gave chase; but 
the other boat could make a good three miles better’n 
we, an’ after trailin’ on behind, whistlin’ now an’ then, 
till it got so late I didn’t dare hold to it any longer, 
we put about. Then what do you think? ^Ve ran 
plump across John Ed’s old dory, an’ I took her in 
tow so’$ to have somethin’ to remember the villain 


360 THE AEROPEANE 

by in case I ever forget the clip he gave me over the 
head/^ 

Zenas embellished the story with many details that 
were of no particular importance; but the owners of 
the island listened patiently until he had come to an 
end and was muttering threats as to what he would 
do to John Ed Bingham in the near future, when Mr. 
Sawtelle said in a tone of command: 

‘That will do, Zenas. The smuggler has given 
you the slip twice this season when it seemed to me 
you should have caught him. Now we’ll leave the 
fellow out of our calculations entirely, until getting 
information that he has returned to this vicinity. 
After repairing the Silver Fox so she may be used 
for voyages to the mainland, I propose to build an 
air-ship of the most approved type, having become con- 
vinced that it is within our power. Before winter 
comes we’ll set off on a voyage through the air that 
shall have as its purpose the capture of Bingham.” 


72 0 ' 




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